Friday, July 18, 2008

Long Walk

Nelson Mandela (public domain)I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.

-- Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (18 July 1918-), South African political activist, co-winner of Nobel Peace Prize with F.W. de Klerk in 1993; in 1994, first President of South Africa elected in fully representative democratic elections, Long Walk to Freedom (1995)

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