From imprisonment for 27 years to becoming the first black President: Remembering 'Madiba' Nelson Mandela

On the Nobel laureate's anniversary, here are some of his inspiring quotes.
On former President of South Africa and Nobel laureate Nelson Mandela's birth anniversary, here are inspiring quotes from the man whose life was nothing short of being rich in experience. (Graphics | Vijesh C K)
On former President of South Africa and Nobel laureate Nelson Mandela's birth anniversary, here are inspiring quotes from the man whose life was nothing short of being rich in experience. (Graphics | Vijesh C K)
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'I have never regarded any man as my superior, either in my life outside or inside prison.' IN PIC | Nelson Mandela with the late President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, in Johannesburg in September 2004. (File photo | PTI)
'I have never regarded any man as my superior, either in my life outside or inside prison.' IN PIC | Nelson Mandela with the late President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, in Johannesburg in September 2004. (File photo | PTI)
'I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.' (File photo | PTI)
'I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.' (File photo | PTI)
'Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end.' IN PIC | Mandela with the late Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao, in New Delhi. (File photo | PTI)
'Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end.' IN PIC | Mandela with the late Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao, in New Delhi. (File photo | PTI)
'Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.' IN PIC | The then Prime Minister of India, H D Deve Gowda, with Nelson Mandela. (File photo | PTI)
'Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.' IN PIC | The then Prime Minister of India, H D Deve Gowda, with Nelson Mandela. (File photo | PTI)
'Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.' IN PIC | Mandela with former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at the NAM summit in Durban. (File photo | PTI)
'Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.' IN PIC | Mandela with former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at the NAM summit in Durban. (File photo | PTI)
'A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.' IN PIC | Mandela with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a function in Johannesburg. (File photo | PTI)
'A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.' IN PIC | Mandela with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a function in Johannesburg. (File photo | PTI)
'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.' IN PIC | Nelson Mandela with Congress President Sonia Gandhi. (File photo | PTI)
'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.' IN PIC | Nelson Mandela with Congress President Sonia Gandhi. (File photo | PTI)
'A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.'  IN PIC | Former US First Lady Michelle Obama (C), accompanied by her daughters, Malia (L), and Sasha, meet Mandela at his residence in Houghton, South Africa. (File photo | PTI)
'A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.' IN PIC | Former US First Lady Michelle Obama (C), accompanied by her daughters, Malia (L), and Sasha, meet Mandela at his residence in Houghton, South Africa. (File photo | PTI)
'It always seems impossible until it's done.' IN PIC | Former US President Bill Clinton and other board members of the USA Bid Committee to bring the FIFA World Cup to the United States meet with Nelson Mandela. (File photo | PTI)
'It always seems impossible until it's done.' IN PIC | Former US President Bill Clinton and other board members of the USA Bid Committee to bring the FIFA World Cup to the United States meet with Nelson Mandela. (File photo | PTI)
'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.' IN PIC |  Mandela with British scientist Professor Stephen Hawking in Johannesburg. ( AP/PTI Photo)
'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.' IN PIC | Mandela with British scientist Professor Stephen Hawking in Johannesburg. ( AP/PTI Photo)
'When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace.' IN PIC | Mandela being greeted by Priyanka Gandhi at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he received Gandhi Peace Prize in 2000.  PTI Photo. (File photo | PTI)
'When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace.' IN PIC | Mandela being greeted by Priyanka Gandhi at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he received Gandhi Peace Prize in 2000. PTI Photo. (File photo | PTI)
'If I had my time over I would do the same again. So would any man who dares call himself a man.' (File photo | PTI)
'If I had my time over I would do the same again. So would any man who dares call himself a man.' (File photo | PTI)

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