Nelson Mandela, one of the most iconic leaders of the 20th century, continues to be a global symbol of freedom, resilience and moral courage. Known as South Africa’s anti-apartheid revolutionary, Mandela’s words continue to inspire generations.
Quote of the day by Nelson Mandela
In Quote of the Day we focus on one of Mandela’s most inspirational quotes – “Don’t judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fall and get back up.”
What does the quote mean?
Simply put, the quote implies that a person should not be measured by success, but rather by perseverance and resilience after failing and standing up bravely again. Mandela’s thought-provoking words serve as a reminder that success and failure are part of life and should not be used as a yardstick by which to measure oneself.
What makes a person is not a lack of struggle, but the ability to stand up each time and face the next challenge. Anyone can appear successful when things are going their way, but being mentally and emotionally strong when things are not going their way is something that shows a person’s true character and inner strength. While persistence indicates a person’s ability to move forward despite obstacles, resilience indicates their ability to recover quickly from setback or failure. Individuals must have both characteristics.
The quote reminds us not to see our failures as permanent failures and let them get the best of us. Every setback, every setback must be seen in a positive light and should be seen as a blessing in disguise that existed only to teach us something we needed to learn. This quote also indirectly reminds us to have a positive outlook and a strong mind, one that can withstand any obstacle and focus on learning, not just results.
Individuals must also remember that every failure they face only brings them closer to success. Every time a person fails or falls, the failure serves as an opportunity to become more self-aware and better understood. Mandela’s life is proof of this idea. Although he spent several years in prison, he did not accept defeat and continued to fight the system and eventually succeeded.
Who was Nelson Mandela?
Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mwezu, South Africa and became the country’s first black president. He was born to Chief Henry Mandela of the Madiba clan, which is part of the Xhosa-speaking Tembu community. After his father’s death, Mandela took in and raised Jongintaba, the acting regent of Tembu.
Taking a different path from traditional leadership, Mandela renounced his claim to leadership and instead pursued a career in law. He studied at the South African Native College (later renamed the University of Fort Hare) and went on to study law at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he eventually qualified as a lawyer. In 1944 he joined the African National Congress (ANC), a key organization in the struggle for black liberation. That same year, he rose to a leadership role in her youth league and married Evelyn Ntoko Mase.
