The 25 best quotes of Desmond Tutu, the anti-Apartheid leader.

Famous quotes from one of South Africa's most acclaimed peace leaders.

Desmond Tutu (born in South Africa in 1931) is one of the most admired clergy and peace activists who fought against apartheid in his country.

Because of his relentless struggle for the rights of black citizens in an extremely unequal and racist South African society in the early and mid-20th century, Desmond Tutu's work had an international relevance and he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984..

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Desmond Tutu's famous quotes and phrases

To pay tribute to this South African religious man, we have set out to compile the best quotes by Desmond Tutu.. These are famous quotes that remind us of the value of peace and brotherhood.

Let's start with this selection of thoughts from the South African leader.

1. I imagine God weeping when he sees that his church allows itself to waste time condemning homosexuals, while half the world is starving and AIDS is rampant.

A reflection on the hypocrisy shown by some Church bodies.

2. We treat them as outcasts and push them out of our communities. They make us doubt that they are also Children of God and this is close to blasphemy. We blame them for being what they are.

A phrase to reflect on hate and discrimination.

3. Be kind to white people, who need to rediscover their humanity.

A famous quote from Desmond Tutu where he urges to be kind even to the oppressors of the nation.

4. Whenever the economic system goes wrong, racism arises.

Some political factions take advantage of bad economic times to point the finger at immigrants. This is something that Europe and the United States have also experienced.

5. Repairing injustices without creating justice always ends up worsening reality.

An eye for an eye does not solve the ills of society. A valuable phrase by Desmond Tutu.

6. God, we know you're in charge but.... Couldn't you make yourself a little more evident?

A prayer addressed to God, who seems to be somewhat absent at many times.

7. I'm not interested in picking up the crumbs of compassion that fall from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights.

A brilliant metaphor that speaks of justice and dignity.

8. Politicians should banish the word never because things change and peace is made with enemies and not with friends.

Another peace phrase that many world leaders should read.

9. Resentment and anger are bad for Blood Pressure and digestion.

Bad feelings that only bring with them certain psychosomatic problems.

10. My humanity is linked to yours, because we can only be human together.

Equality among humans guarantees the harmony and well-being of the population.

11. Retaliation against terrorism does not bring peace. There is a suicide bomber, a retaliation and then a counter-retaliation. And it just goes on and on.

The law of talion that can never end in a state of peace, since it only generates hatred and more hatred.

12. Forgiveness is an absolute necessity for the continuation of human existence.

How can we forgive the one who hurt us? Desmond Tutu proposes to do so in order to live in peace.

13. What the hell is wrong with churches? How is it possible to fight against racism and not against homophobia? Sexual orientation is not chosen. Blacks don't choose to be black; neither do homosexuals.

A man ahead of his time, Tutu analyzes the problem of the gay community.

14. A parent who leads their child to be a racist harms the child, harms the community where they live, harms our hopes for a better world. A parent who teaches their child that there is only one sexual orientation and that anything else is evil denies our humanity and theirs as well.

The pernicious effect of racism is absolutely uncontrollable.

15. We fought against Apartheid in South Africa, with the support of people all over the world, for the people who were blamed for being black and forced to suffer for something they could do nothing about. It's the same with sexual orientation. It's a gift.

Another phrase that challenges the persecution of homosexual people.

16. If you are neutral in situations of injustice you have chosen the side of the oppressor.

One of his most famous phrases about injustice.

17. My father used to say: Don't raise your voice... improve your argument.

A phrase about intelligence and how to improve your speech to convince others.

18. In the land of my birth I cannot vote, whereas a young man of eighteen can vote. And why? Because he or she possesses that wonderful biological attribute.

You mean that young man is white. A painful proof of the racism of his or her native country.

19. We live in a universe characterized by diversity.

And yet, we insist on dismissing and repelling those who are different from us.

20. Exclusion is not the way forward on our shared path to freedom and justice.

Another phrase that appeals to humanity and reconciliation.

21. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

A paradox of modern life.

22. As human beings we have the most extraordinary capacity for evil. We can commit some of the most horrendous atrocities.

The 20th century was an era that proved Desmond Tutu's statement to be absolutely true.

Niger is not an isolated island of despair. It sits within a sea of problems across Africa - in particular 'forgotten emergencies' in poor countries or regions with little strategic or material appeal.

About the central African country.

24. In the case of South Africa, many of those who were part of death squads would have been respectable members of the white community, people who went to church on Sundays, every Sunday.

Another sentence about racism and those who perpetrated it.

25. In many ways, when you are a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, you have an obligation to humanity, to society.

Tutu, in a vision that demonstrates his leadership and his constant striving for peace.