Nelson Mandela, the South African anti-apartheid and revolutionary political leader, and the former President of South Africa, would have celebrated his 100th birthday today. Mandela was also the first black head of the state of South Africa. Winner of more than 250 honours, which also included the Nobel Peace Prize, Mandela has been one of the most decorated, controversial and influential personality of the 20th century.

Nelson Mandela's ideology leaned towards the nationalist and socialist side and the leader was also the President of the African National Congress known as ANC. The duration of his tenure as president of the party was from 1991 to 1997. The South African legend also has many memorable quotes to his name.

Here are a few inspirational quotes from Nelson Mandela:

It always seems impossible until it's done.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.

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.

There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.

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.

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.

A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.

Nelson Mandela studied law at the University of Fort Hare and Witwatersrand before practicing law in Johannesburg. He got involved in the anti-colonial and nationalist politics and joined the ANC party, of which he would become president in the future. He served 27 years in jail after he was arrested for planning and conspiring to overthrow the government. He was released from jail in the 1990 after which he led his party, the ANC to election victory in the 1994 multiracial general election, and became the President of South Africa.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 18, 2018 12:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).