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18 Inspiring Nelson Mandela Quotes For Entrepreneurs

18 Inspiring Nelson Mandela Quotes For Entrepreneurs

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The world remembered Nelson Mandela Saturday on what would have been his 97th birthday. The beloved leader spent 27 years in prison on Robben Island, formulating his vision for reconciliation and transition to a democratic South Africa, free from apartheid. The country’s first black president, Mandela served from 1994 to 1999. He died Dec. 5, 2013, but he continues to inspire and influence others with his spirit of peace.

The Mandela Day website urges participants to embody three Mandela values for living: free yourself, free others and serve every day. The beauty of Mandela’s empowering words is that they can be used in just about every situation.

When Mandela was released from prison, South Africa was close to bankruptcy after decades of sanctions. Mandela encouraged business to embrace ubuntu, the Nguni word that translates roughly to human kindness, and to see business as part of a team effort to overhaul the country.

Here are 18 inspiring Nelson Mandela quotes for entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Sources: Wamda, Forbes, IBTimesGoodReads, Wikiquote, MandelaDay, M&G.

Nelson Mandela statue unveiled at the Union Buildings, Dec. 16, 2013, Pretoria, South Africa. Photo: Oli Scarff/Getty
Nelson Mandela statue unveiled at the Union Buildings, Dec. 16, 2013, Pretoria, South Africa. Photo: Oli Scarff/Getty

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.”

Memorial service Nelson Mandela, Adelaide, Australia. Photo: Morne de Klerk/Getty
Memorial service Nelson Mandela, Adelaide, Australia. Photo: Morne de Klerk/Getty

“It is a simple tale, but its message is an enduring one: virtue and generosity will be rewarded in ways that one cannot know.”

 

Memorial stones in a curbside garden outside Nelson Mandela's Houghton home, Johannesburg, October, 2014. Photo: Dana Sanchez
Memorial stones in a curbside garden outside Nelson Mandela’s Houghton home, Johannesburg, October, 2014. Photo: Dana Sanchez

“There is little to be said in favour of poverty, but it was often an incubator of true friendship. Many people will appear to befriend you when you are wealthy, but precious few will do the same when you are poor.”

Drum and dance routine outside Nelson Mandela's home on the day he was laid to rest, Dec. 15, 2013. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty
Drum and dance routine outside Nelson Mandela’s home on the day he was laid to rest, Dec. 15, 2013. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty

“A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don’t have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed.”

Nelson Mandela in Norway for the 46664 Arctic concert to raise awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS. Photo: Getty
Nelson Mandela in Norway for the 46664 Arctic concert to raise awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS. Photo: Getty

“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”

FNB Stadium memorial service for Nelson Mandela, Dec. 10, 2013, Johannesburg. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty
FNB Stadium memorial service for Nelson Mandela, Dec. 10, 2013, Johannesburg. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty

“Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front.”

Soweto mural dedicated Nelson Mandela, Dec. 15, 2013. Photo: Oli Scarff/Getty
Soweto mural dedicated Nelson Mandela, Dec. 15, 2013. Photo: Oli Scarff/Getty

“Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice.”

Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel view thousands of handmade 90th birthday cards from children at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Aug. 5, 2008 in Houghton, Johannesburg. Photo: Juda Ngwenya/Getty
Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel view thousands of handmade 90th birthday cards from children at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Aug. 5, 2008 in Houghton, Johannesburg. Photo: Juda Ngwenya/Getty

“There is no passion to be found playing small — in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 03:  Nelson Mandela raises a glass during a lunch to Benefit the Mandela Children's Foundation as part of the celebrations of the opening of the new One&Only Cape Town resort on April 3, 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa. The One&Only is Sol Kerzner's first hotel in his home country since 1992. The 130 room property is One&Only's first Urban resort and sits in the fashionable Waterfront district. Celebrities from all over the world including Mariah Carey, Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman,  Thandie Newton, Marisa Tomei will attend the event. Gordon Ramsay will be launching his first restaurant in Africa at the resort, Maze and Robert De Niro will be opening Nobu. Nelson Mandela will be attending an intimate luncheon at Maze on Friday to celebrate his long-standing relationship with Mr. Kerzner.  (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Nelson Mandela at a lunch to Benefit the Mandela Children’s Foundation as part of the opening of the One&Only Cape Town resort, April 3, 2009, Cape Town. Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty

“Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead.”

Nelson Mandela outside his former prison cell, Nov. 28, 2003 on Robben Island. Photo: Paul Gilham/Getty
Nelson Mandela outside his former prison cell, Nov. 28, 2003 on Robben Island. Photo: Paul Gilham/Getty

“Vision without action is just a dream, action without vision just passes the time, and vision with action can change the world.”

Honoring Nelson Mandela during his state funeral Dec. 15, 2013 in his hometown of Qunu, South Africa. Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty
Honoring Nelson Mandela during his state funeral Dec. 15, 2013 in his hometown of Qunu, South Africa. Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

A young boy with the Maitibolo Cultural Dance Troop pays his respects to Nelson Mandela at a tribute wall outside the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital, July 14, 2013. Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty
A young boy with the Maitibolo Cultural Dance Troop pays his respects to Nelson Mandela at a tribute wall outside the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital, July 14, 2013. Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

Nelson Mandela's prison cell, Nov. 28, 2003, Robben Island. Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty
Nelson Mandela’s prison cell, Nov. 28, 2003, Robben Island. Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.  The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela Square, Johannesburg. Photo: Dana Sanchez
Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton, Johannesburg. Photo: Dana Sanchez

“A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.”

Celebrating Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital, July 18, 2013 in Pretoria. Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty
Celebrating Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital, July 18, 2013 in Pretoria. Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty

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

Funeral cortege of Nelson Mandela as it passes through Qunu, his home town. Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty
Funeral cortege of Nelson Mandela as it passes through Qunu, his home town. Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty

“As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

Peace Day celebration, South Africa, 2014. Photo: Dana Sanchez
Peace Day celebration, South Africa, 2014. Photo: Dana Sanchez

“Peace is the greatest weapon for development that any person can have.”

A man wears a Nelson Mandela t-shirt, one of many given away on Mandela's funeral, Dec. 14 in Mthatha, South Africa. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty.
A man wears a Nelson Mandela t-shirt, one of many given away on Mandela’s funeral, Dec. 14 in Mthatha, South Africa. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty.

“Money won’t create success, the freedom to make it will”