南非第一個民選總統、諾貝爾和平獎得主納爾遜．曼德拉於 2013 年12月5日去世，享年九十五歲。曼德拉因對抗南非種族隔離制度坐了27年牢，1990 年獲釋，並在四年後當上總統。一任任期後便即卸任，這樣的舉動在非洲政界非常少見。其一生留下許多充滿智慧的語錄。雖然過世，但他的名言依然在世上流傳。
- 「隨著時間過去，我愈來愈了解友誼與人類團結的重要性。如果一個90歲老人能在這裡提供一些建議，不過你們年齡長幼，都應把團結與對他人的關懷，做為人生的核心價值。」
"As time goes on, I have come to understand the importance of friendship and human solidarity. If a 90-year-old man could offer some advice here, regardless of your age, you should make unity and care for others the core values of your life."
- 「讓我想回到監獄那段日子的原因之一，是在出獄後，我鮮少有機會可以閱讀、思考、靜靜反省。我希望能給自己更多時間閱讀和思考。」
- 「我們已為更好的生活打下基礎。數年前還難以想像的事，現在已經是我們的日常生活。我屬於的世代，這個世代的民主實現是莫大的挑戰。」
"We have laid the foundation for a better life. What was unimaginable years ago is now part of our daily lives. The generation I belong to has faced the immense challenge of realizing democracy."
- 「種族歧視是人性良知的破滅。那些自我神化、認為自己比較優越，其他人等而下之的想法，是對人性的否定。」
"Racism is a breakdown of human conscience. The belief in self-deification, seeing oneself as superior and others as inferior, is a denial of humanity."
- 「我把一生都獻給這個讓非洲人民掙扎其中的議題。我曾對抗白人統治，我曾對抗黑人統治，我珍惜人人都可和諧生活、擁有公平機會的民主自由社會理想。這是我想要追求、期盼達成的理想。如果有必要，這也是我準備好獻出生命的理想。」
"I have dedicated my life to this struggle that has entrapped the people of Africa. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I cherish the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all people live in harmony and have equal opportunities. It is an ideal I hope to live for and to achieve. But if need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."
- 「人與人可以成就好事，只要我們願意信任、願意接受別人的善意。」
"People can achieve great things if we are willing to trust and accept the goodwill of others."
- 「我已經演完了我的角色，現在只求沒沒無聞地生活。我想回到故鄉的村寨，在童年時嬉戲玩耍的山坡上漫步。」
"I have played my part, and now I seek to live in quiet obscurity. I want to return to my village, walking the hills where I once played as a child."
資料來源 : TIME、《漫漫自由路》
