Portrait of Desmond Tutu

Desmond Tutu

South African anti-apartheid cleric

Contemporary influential 99 sayings

Sayings by Desmond Tutu

The Israeli government is behaving like the apartheid government.

2014 — Criticism of Israel's policies toward Palestinians
Political Unverifiable

I am a bit of an old-fashioned person. I am a great believer in the power of love. I am a great believer in the power of laughter. And I am a great believer in the power of prayer.

2012 — Interview with The Guardian
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

God is not a Christian. God is not a Jew. God is not a Muslim. God is not a Hindu. God is not a Buddhist. All of these are human creations. God is. And in God, we are all one.

Late 20th/Early 21st century — Various public appearances
Food & Drink Unverifiable

I wish I could remember where I heard this, but someone once said that 'despair is a form of spiritual pride.' I think it's true. When we despair, we are saying, 'I am smarter than God. I know what's going to happen, and it's going to be bad.'

Unknown — Interview
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

When you have a toothache, you go to the dentist. When you have a spiritual ache, you go to God. Or, if you're like me, you go to your wife and she tells you to go to God.

Unknown — Speech
Relationships Unverifiable

We are made for goodness. We are made for love. We are made for friendliness. We are made for togetherness. We are made for all of the beautiful things that you can imagine.

Unknown — Interview
Relationships Unverifiable

Ubuntu is the essence of being human. It speaks of the fact that my humanity is caught up and inextricably bound up in yours.

Late 20th century — Various speeches and writings
General Unverifiable

To forgive is not to forget. To forgive is to remember and yet be reconciled.

Late 20th century — Various writings
General Unverifiable

There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they're falling in.

Unknown — Speech
General Unverifiable

God's dream is that we would all realize that we are family, that we are made for togetherness, for goodness, and for compassion.

Unknown — Speech
General Unverifiable

The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

Unknown — Speech
General Unverifiable

I am not interested in a pie in the sky when I die. I want a pie now, here on earth, with justice and peace for all.

Unknown — Speech or interview
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

We are created to be free. We are created to love. We are created to have a relationship with God.

Unknown — Speech
Relationships Unverifiable

The day I stop dreaming is the day I stop living.

Unknown — Interview
General Unverifiable

We are all God's children. We are all brothers and sisters.

Unknown — Speech
General Unverifiable

When you laugh, you are a bit closer to God.

Unknown — Interview
General Unverifiable

Peace is not just the absence of conflict; it is the presence of justice.

Late 20th century — Various writings
General Unverifiable

We must be ready to learn from one another, to respect one another, to forgive one another.

Unknown — Speech
General Unverifiable

I am an optimist. I have to be. What other choice is there?

Unknown — Interview
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

We are all members of one family, the human family.

Unknown — Speech
General Unverifiable
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