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As A Leader... I Have Always Endeavored To Listen To What Each And Every Person In A Discussion Had To Say Before Venturing My Own Opinion. Oftentimes, My Own Opinion Will Simply Represent A Consensus Of What I Heard In The Discussion. I Always Remember The Axiom; A Leader Is Like A Shepherd. He Stays Behind The Flock, Letting The Most Nimble Go Out Ahead, Whereupon The Others Follow, Not Realizing That All Along They Are Being Directed From Behind.
-Nelson Mandela
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As A Leader... I

Nelson Mandela
As A Leader... I Have Always Endeavored To Listen To What Each And Every Person In A Discussion Had To Say Before Venturing My Own Opinion. Oftentimes, My Own Opinion Will Simply Represent A Consensus Of What I Heard In The Discussion. I Always Remember The Axiom; A Leader Is Like A Shepherd. He Stays Behind The Flock, Letting The Most Nimble Go Out Ahead, Whereupon The Others Follow, Not Realizing That All Along They Are Being Directed From Behind.
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Tread Softly, Brathe Peacefully, Laugh Hysterically.
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Organization
People
In My Younger Days, I Was Arrogant - Jail Helped Me To Get Rid Of It. I Did Nothing But Make Enemies Because Of My Arrogance.
Jail
Arrogance
Enemy
To Truly Lead One's People, One Must Also Truly Know Them.
People
Knows
Whatever Position I Occupied, It Was The Result Of Colleagues - Of My Comrades In The Movement - Who Had Decided In Their Wisdom To Use Me For The Purpose Of Focusing The Attention Of The Country And The International Community On Me.
Country
Community
Attention
Blaming Things On The Past Does Not Make Them Better.
Past
Doe
Blame
Trade Justice For The Developing World And For This Generation Is A Truly Significant Way For The Developed Countries To Show Commitment To Bringing About An End To Global Poverty.
Country
Commitment
Justice
Overcoming Poverty Is Not A Gesture Of Charity. It Is An Act Of Justice.
Hunger And Poverty
Hunger Poverty
Justice
I Always Knew That Someday I Would Once Again Feel The Grass Under My Feet And Walk In The Sunshine As A Free Man.
Positive
Sunshine
Men
When We Read We Are Able To Travel To Many Places, Meet Many People And Understand The World.
People
World
Able
While Poverty Persists, There Is No True Freedom.
Poverty
True Freedom
Persist
The World Remains Beset By So Much Human Suffering, Poverty And Deprivation. It Is In Your Hands To Make Of Our World A Better One For All, Especially The Poor, Vulnerable And Marginalised.
Our World
Hands
Suffering
Overcoming Poverty Is Not A Gesture Of Charity. It Is An Act Of Justice. It Is The Protection Of A Fundamental Human Right, The Right To Dignity And A Decent Life . . .
Justice
Overcoming
Fundamentals
We Recall Our Terrible Past So That We Can Deal With It, To Forgive Where Forgiveness Is Necessary, Without Forgetting; To Ensure That Never Again Will Such Inhumanity Tear Us Apart; And To Move Ourselves To Eradicate A Legacy That Lurks Dangerously As A Threat To Our Democracy.
Moving
Past
Forgiving
I Was Not Born With A Hunger To Be Free, I Was Born Free.
Hunger
Born
Born Free
The Names Of Dingane And Bambata, Hintsa And Makana, Squngthi And Dalasile, Moshoeshoe And Sekhukhuni, Were Praised As The Glory Of The Entire African Nation. I Hoped Then That Life Might Offer Me The Opportunity To Serve My People And Make My Own Humble Contribution To Their Freedom Struggle.
Struggle
Humble
Opportunity
We Raise Our Voices In Holy Gladness To Celebrate The Victory Of The Risen Christ Over The Terrible Forces Of Death.
Voice
Victory
Christ
I Want To Sleep For Eternity With A Broad Smile On My Face. I Want Those Who Remain Behind To Say This Man Has Done His Duty.
Sleep
Men
Done
People Respond In Accordance To How You Relate To Them. If You Approach Them On The Basis Of Violence, That's How They'll React. But If You Say, 'we Want Peace, We Want Stability,' We Can Then Do A Lot Of Things That Will Contribute Towards The Progress Of Our Society.
Inspirational
People
Progress
The Titanic Effort That Has Brought Liberation To South Africa, And Ensured The Total Liberation Of Africa, Constitutes An Act Of Redemption For The Black People Of The World.
People
Effort
Black
In Judging Our Progress As Individuals We Tend To Concentrate On External Factors Such As One's Social Position, Influence And Popularity, Wealth And Standard Of Education... But Internal Factors May Be Even More Crucial In Assessing One's Development As A Human Being. Honesty, Sincerity, Simplicity, Humility, Pure Generosity, Absence Of Vanity, Readiness To Serve Others - Qualities Which Are Within Easy Reach Of Every Soul - Are The Foundation Of One's Spiritual Life.
Love
Life
Family
I Started To Make A Study Of The Art Of War And Revolution And, Whilst Abroad, Underwent A Course In Military Training. If There Was To Be Guerrilla Warfare, I Wanted To Be Able To Stand And Fight With My People And To Share The Hazards Of War With Them.
Art
Military
War
Our Freedom Is Also Incomplete, Dear Compatriots, As Long As We Are Denied Our Security By Criminals Who Prey On Our Communities, Who Rob Our Businesses And Undermine Our Economy, Who Ply Their Destructive Trade In Drugs In Our Schools, And Who Do Violence Against Our Women And Children.
Children
School
Long
The Path Of Those Who Preach Love, And Not Hatred, Is Not Easy. They Often Have To Wear A Crown Of Thorns.
Love
Hatred
Crowns
No Problem Is So Deep That It Cannot Be Overcome, Given The Will Of All Parties, Through Discussion And Negotiation Rather Than Force And Violence.
Party
Overcoming
Violence
For A Revolution Is Not Just A Question Of Pulling A Trigger; Its Purpose Is To Create A Fair Just Society
Purpose
Revolution
Triggers
I Can't Pretend That I'm Brave And That I Can Beat The Whole World.
Inspirational
Inspiring
Brave
Everyone Can Rise Above Their Circumstances And Achieve Success If They Are Dedicated To And Passionate About What They Do.
Success
Independent
Passionate
Aids Today In Africa Is Claiming More Lives Than The Sum Total Of All Wars, Famines And Floods And The Ravages Of Such Deadly Diseases As Malaria ... We Must Act Now For The Sake Of The World.
War
Malaria
World
It Enables Me To Go To Bed With An Enriching Feeling In My Soul And The Belief That I Am Changing Myself.
Soul
Feelings
Bed
I Cannot Conceive Of Israel Withdrawing If Arab States Do Not Recognize Israel, Within Secure Borders.
Israel
Borders
States
I Am Influenced More Than Ever Before By The Conviction That Social Equality Is The Only Basis Of Human Happiness.
Conviction
Social
Bases
When The History Of Our Times Is Written, Will We Be Remembered As The Generation That Turned Our Backs In A Moment Of Global Crisis Or Will It Be Recorded That We Did The Right Thing?
Generations
Moments
Crisis
Soccer Is One Of The Most Unifying Activities Amongst Us.
Soccer
Unifying
Activity
But The Hard Facts Were That Fifty Years Of Non-violence Had Brought The African People Nothing But More And More Repressive Legislation, And Fewer And Fewer Rights.
Rights
Years
People
Quitting Is Leading Too.
Inspirational
Motivational
Inspiring
You Negotiate In Bad Faith If You Do Not Forgive Your Adversary.
Forgiving
Ifs
Adversaries
Sport Can Create Hope, Where Once There Was Only Despair
Sports
Despair
Breaking Down
Our Experience Has Taught Us That With Goodwill A Negotiated Solution Can Be Found For Even The Most Profound Problems.
Taught Us
Profound
Challenges
There Is No Easy Walk To Freedom Anywhere.
Freedom
Shadow Of Death
Desire
When I Went To Jail, I Was A Trained Lawyer. And When The Wardens Received Letters Of Demands Or Summonses, They Didn't Have The Resources To Go To An Attorney To Help Them. I Would Help Them Settle Their Cases, So They Became Attached To Me And The Other Prisoners.
Jail
Demand
Letters
Each Of Us, As Citizens, Has A Role To Play In Creating A Better World For Our Children
Children
Play
Creating
You Know, You Can Only Lead Them From Behind.
Behinds
Knows
The Suffering Inflicted, And More Often Than Not On The Most Vulnerable Sectors Of Society, Demeans All Of Us As Humanity. That It Is Invariably Women, Children, The Aged And Disabled Who Suffer In These Conflicts Stands To The Added Shame Of Humankind.
Children
Humanity
Suffering
We Can't Afford To Be Killing One Another.
Killing
I Never Think Of The Time I Have Lost. I Just Carry Out A Programme Because It's There. It's Mapped Out For Me.
Thinking
Lost
Programmes
South Africans Must Recall The Terrible Past So That We Can Deal With It, Forgiving Where Forgiveness Is Necessary But Never Forgetting.
Past
Forgiving
Never Forget
Understanding Quotes: Their Essence and Application

Quotes, or quotations, are powerful tools in communication, encapsulating ideas, emotions, and wisdom in concise expressions. They serve various purposes across different contexts, from academic writing to everyday conversation.

1. Defining Quotes

A quote is a repetition of someone else's statement or thoughts. It can be a direct replication of words spoken or written by another individual, often used to support arguments, provide evidence, or convey profound insights.


2. The Importance of Quotes

2.1. Enhancing Credibility

Incorporating quotes from authoritative sources can bolster the credibility of your work. By referencing experts or primary sources, you demonstrate thorough research and a solid foundation for your arguments.


2.2. Providing Evidence

Quotes serve as concrete evidence to support claims. In academic and professional writing, they validate points made, offering readers a basis to trust the information presented.


2.3. Conveying Emotions and Perspectives

Quotes can encapsulate emotions and perspectives succinctly. They allow writers to express complex feelings or viewpoints through the words of others, often more eloquently than paraphrasing.


3. Types of Quotes

3.1. Direct Quotes

Direct quotes involve copying the exact words from a source, enclosed in quotation marks. They are used when the original wording is significant or particularly well-expressed.


3.2. Indirect Quotes (Paraphrasing)

Indirect quotes restate the original message in your own words. While not enclosed in quotation marks, they still require proper attribution to the original source.


3.3. Block Quotes

Block quotes are lengthy direct quotations, formatted as a separate block of text. They are typically used for quotes exceeding a certain length, varying by citation style. For instance, in APA style, quotes longer than 40 words are formatted as block quotes.



4. Proper Usage of Quotes


4.1. Contextual Relevance

Ensure that the quote you choose is relevant to the topic and adds value to your content. Avoid inserting quotes solely for decorative purposes.


4.2. Integration into Your Writing

Seamlessly integrate quotes into your writing. Introduce them appropriately and follow up with analysis or commentary to connect them to your main points.


4.3. Attribution and Citation

Always attribute quotes to their original authors and provide proper citations according to the required style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).


5. Common Mistakes to Avoid


5.1. Overusing Quotes

Relying too heavily on quotes can overshadow your voice. Use them sparingly to support your arguments, not replace them.


5.2. Lack of Analysis

Presenting a quote without analysis or explanation can leave readers questioning its relevance. Always follow up with your interpretation or discussion.


5.3. Misquoting or Taking Out of Context

Ensure that quotes are accurate and not taken out of context, as this can mislead readers and undermine your credibility.



6. Quotes in Different Contexts


6.1. Academic Writing

In academic writing, quotes are used to support arguments, provide evidence, and engage with existing literature. Proper citation is crucial to avoid plagiarism.


6.2. Journalism

Journalists use quotes to provide firsthand accounts, add authenticity, and present multiple perspectives within a story.


6.3. Literature and Creative Writing

In literature, quotes can be used to convey character voices, themes, and stylistic elements. They enrich narratives and provide depth to storytelling.



7. Punctuation and Formatting


Understanding the correct punctuation and formatting of quotes is essential:


Quotation Marks: Always enclose direct quotes within quotation marks.


Punctuation Placement: In American English, periods and commas are placed inside quotation marks, while colons and semicolons are placed outside.


Block Quotes: For longer quotes, format them as block quotes without quotation marks, and indent the entire block.



8. Ethical Considerations


Ethical use of quotes involves accurate representation, proper attribution, and respect for intellectual property. Misuse can lead to plagiarism, which carries serious academic and professional consequences.

9. Tools for Managing Quotes


Utilize tools like citation generators and plagiarism checkers to manage quotes effectively. These tools help ensure proper formatting and originality in your writing.



Conclusion


Quotes are invaluable in enriching content, providing evidence, and conveying complex ideas succinctly. When used appropriately, they enhance the quality and credibility of your writing. Always ensure relevance, proper integration, and ethical usage to maximize their impact.


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