“Any who may wish to profit himself alone from the knowledge given him, rather than serve others through the knowledge he has gained from learning, is betraying knowledge and rendering it worthless.”

Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.

Conflicts between nations will continue to arise. The real issue is whether they are to be resolved by force, or by resort to peaceful methods and procedures, administered by impartial institutions.

Misguided people sometimes create misguided ideas. Some of my ancestors were Oromo. How can I colonize myself?

Imagination, devotion, perseverance, together with divine grace, will assure your success.

We all wish to live. We all seek a world in which men are freed of the burdens of ignorance, poverty, hunger and disease. And we shall all be hard-pressed to escape the deadly rain of nuclear fall-out should catastrophe overtake us.

One cannot deny that in former times man’s life had been one of toil and hardship. It is correct to say, therefore, that modern civilization and the progress of science have greatly improved man’s life and have brought comfort and ease in their trail.

We should accept diversity in culture and tradition and coexist peacefully.

You must always remember that to lead, one must first learn to follow.

This world was not created piecemeal. Africa was born no later and no earlier than any other geographical area on this globe. Africans, no more and no less than other men, possess all human attributes, talents and deficiencies, virtues and faults.

If you are open-minded and ready to learn, there are many things which you can learn not only from books and instructors but from the very life experience itself.

There is no power or authority without responsibility, and he who accepts the one cannot escape or evade the other.

Knowledge paves the way to Love, and Love in its turn fosters understanding, and leads one along the path of great common achievements.

A good leader maintains a balance between emotional drive and sound thinking.

A house built on granite and strong foundations, not even the onslaught of pouring rain, gushing torrents and strong winds will be able to pull down.

Spiritual power is the eternal guide, in this life and the life after, for man ranks supreme among all creatures. Led forward by spiritual power, man can reach the summit destined for him by the Great Creator.

Peace is a day-to-day problem, the product of a multitude of events and judgments. Peace is not an ‘is,’ it is a ‘becoming.’

The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.

Never begrudge the money you spend on your own education.

To know that you do not know is the best.

Knowledge is merely brilliance in organization of ideas and not wisdom. The truly wise person goes beyond knowledge.

I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.

Two there are who are never satisfied – the lover of the world and the lover of knowledge.

Education consists mainly of what we have unlearned.

Understanding means throwing away your knowledge.