“After one has been in prison, it is the small things that one appreciates: being able to take a walk whenever one wants, going into a shop and buying a newspaper, speaking or choosing to remain silent. The simple act of being able to control one’s person.”
Image credits: John Mathew Smith 2001,”From Wash D.C. Longworth building October 4, 1994. Mandela’s first trip to the United States.”,CC BY-SA 2.0,Nelson Mandela 1994 – Nelson Mandela – Wikipedia
- July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013
- Born in South Africa
- Politician, lawyer
- The first black president of South Africa, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for abolishing apartheid and building a democratic South Africa where multiple ethnic groups coexist.
Quote
“After one has been in prison, it is the small things that one appreciates: being able to take a walk whenever one wants, going into a shop and buying a newspaper, speaking or choosing to remain silent. The simple act of being able to control one’s person.”
Explanation
In this reflection, Nelson Mandela underscores the profound shift in perspective that imprisonment brought to him. After spending 27 years in captivity, he came to deeply appreciate the freedom that many take for granted in daily life. The seemingly trivial acts of walking freely, buying a newspaper, or choosing when to speak were, for Mandela, a stark contrast to the deprivation and constraint of prison life. This speaks to the fundamental human need for agency—the ability to control one’s body and choices—and how it becomes magnified when it is taken away. Mandela’s experience highlights the psychological and emotional toll that loss of freedom can have on the individual, even as it strengthens the resolve to fight for justice.
The quote also reflects the human spirit’s resilience and capacity to adapt. After enduring years of isolation, suffering, and restriction, Mandela learned to value what might seem insignificant to others. This new appreciation for autonomy represents not only a personal evolution but also an understanding of how freedom is intrinsically linked to the ability to live one’s life on one’s own terms. This appreciation for personal control also served as a metaphor for the larger struggle against the oppressive system of apartheid. Mandela’s own sense of self-determination grew stronger over the years, even while he was physically confined, and this experience ultimately became a source of strength for his leadership after his release.
In a broader sense, this perspective on freedom speaks to the universal human desire for autonomy and dignity. In contemporary society, many take the ability to make even the smallest choices for granted, but those who have experienced oppression or confinement, like Mandela, often develop a deeper awareness of the fundamental right to control one’s life. His words remind us that freedom is not just about grand political victories or public recognition; it is about the right to make everyday decisions, to have control over one’s own body, and to be able to live in accordance with one’s own values and desires.
