Haile Selassie
Ethiopian Emperor
Sayings by Haile Selassie
Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.
Today it is us. Tomorrow it will be you.
Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned - Everywhere is war - Me say war.
That until there are no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation, until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes. And until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race - Dis a war.
We must become bigger than we have been: more courageous, greater in spirit, larger in outlook. We must become members of a new race, overcoming petty prejudice, owing our ultimate allegiance not to nations but to our fellow men within the human community.
A house built on granite and strong foundations, not even the onslaught of constant gales can demolish. Such a house is our united continent of Africa.
We have finished the period of struggle. We have passed through the period of preparation. Now we must begin to implement.
Ignorance is the greatest enemy of progress.
Man is a creature of God, and all men are equal in the sight of God.
As long as there is an Empire, there will be no peace.
Conquering an enemy is not enough; one must also win his friendship.
A man who is not a master of his own home is not a man.
We have to live with the world as it is, not as we'd like it to be.
The preservation of freedom is not the task of soldiers alone. The whole nation has to be engaged in the struggle.
There is no more dangerous illusion than the belief that one can escape the consequences of one's actions.
Leadership is a spiritual quality, born of the soul and of the mind. It is a gift of God, and it is given to those who are worthy.
The true leader is one who has a clear vision, a strong will, and an unshakeable faith in his people.
Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.
We must look to the future with hope, not with fear.
Peace is a journey of a thousand miles and it must be taken one step at a time.