Happy Birthday, Nelson Mandela!

Nelson Mandela celebrated his 92nd birthday today, surrounded by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren among other family members. While old age has slowed the Nobel Prize winner, and former South African president, he was able to make the closing ceremony of the World Cup – the first to be held on the African continent, and by all accounts an overwhelming success at showing the world that South Africa is more than the negative headlines most often associated with the country. This year’s celebration was more low key than his 90th, but marks the first United Nations Nelson Mandela International Day, as well as his 12th wedding anniversary with 3rd wife Graca Machel.

Nelson Mandela Day is “a call to action for people everywhere to take responsibility for making the world a better place, one small step at a time, just as Nelson Mandela did.” {Nelson Mandela Foundation}

While few of us will have as large an impact on the future of a country, continent or the world, we’ve pulled together a few of our favorite quotes that should serve as inspiration to make a difference where you can.

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

For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

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 my country we go to prison first and then become President.