I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Mandela explains he opposed all forms of racial domination, valuing a democratic society where everyone lives in harmony with equal opportunities, even if it costs him his life.
- In plain terms
- He fought against racism from any group and valued a free society so much he would die for it.
- What can you take from it?
- Idealistic goals may require personal sacrifice.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What would you die for?
- How do you balance ideals with safety?
Another view
Ideals can be abstract and hard to achieve in practice.
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