“Rhetoric is not important. Actions are.”

A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.

It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.

If you want the cooperation of humans around you, you must make them feel they are important – and you do that by being genuine and humble.

Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon.

The true character of a society is revealed in how it treats its children.

Courage is not the absence of fear. It is inspiring others to move beyond it.

There is nothing more important in life than giving. Tolerance is forged when people look beyond their own desires.

No problem is so deep that it cannot be overcome, given the will of all parties, through discussion and negotiation rather than force and violence.

It always seems impossible until it’s done.

Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.

Blaming things on the past does not make them better.

A leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.

Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.

There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.

Our task is not to liberate the oppressed, but to liberate the oppressors

It is so easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build.