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。
"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."
"One of the reasons I sometimes wish to return to my prison days is that after my release, I rarely had the chance to read, think, and reflect quietly. I wish I could have more time to read and think."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"People can achieve great things if we are willing to trust and accept the goodwill of others."
"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》