Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in blood of his followers and sacrifices of his friends.

Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility.

I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances.

I stand here before you not as a prophet, but as a humble servant of you, the people. Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today. I therefore place the remaining years of my life in your hands.

That was one of the things that worried me -- to be raised to the position of a semi-god -- because then you are no longer a human being. I wanted to be known as Mandela, a man with weaknesses, some of which are fundamental, and a man who is committed.

I'm not the smartest fellow in the world, but I can sure pick smart colleagues.