The 25 best phrases of Desmond Tutu
Desmond Tutu (born in South Africa in 1931) is one of the most admired clerics and peace activists who fought against apartheid in his country.
Due to his incessant fight for the rights of black citizens in an extremely unequal and racist society like the South African of the early and mid-20th century, Desmond Tutu's work had international relevance and he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.
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Desmond Tutu famous phrases and quotes
To honor this South African religious, We have proposed to compile the best phrases of Desmond Tutu. They are famous quotes that remind us of the value of peace and brotherhood.
We start with this selection of thoughts from the South African leader.
1. I imagine God crying when he sees that his church wastes time condemning homosexuals, while half the world goes hungry and AIDS is rampant.
A reflection on the hypocrisy shown by some levels of the Church.
2. We treat them like outcasts and push them out of our communities. They make us doubt that they too are Children of God and this is close to blasphemy. We blame them for being what they are.
A phrase to reflect on hatred and discrimination.
3. Be nice 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 single out immigrants. Something that Europe and the United States have also experienced.
5. Repairing injustices without creating justice always ends up making reality worse.
An eye for an eye does not solve the ills of society. A valuable phrase from Desmond Tutu.
6. God, we know you're in charge but... Couldn't you make yourself a little more obvious?
A prayer addressed to God, who seems to be somewhat absent in many moments.
7. I am 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 phrase of peace that many world leaders should read.
9. Resentment and anger are bad for blood pressure and digestion.
Bad sensations that only bring with them certain psychosomatic problems.
10. My humanity is linked to yours, because we can only be human together.
Equality between humans guarantees the harmony and well-being of the population.
11. Retaliation against terrorism does not bring peace. There's a suicide bomber, a retaliation, and then a counter-retaliation. And it just goes on and on.
The law of retaliation that can never end in a state of peace, since it only generates hate and more hate.
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 it in order to live in peace.
13. What the hell is up with the churches? How is it possible to fight against racism and not against homophobia? Sexual orientation is not chosen. Blacks do not choose to be black; Neither do homosexuals.
Ahead of his time, Tutu analyzes the problem of the gay community.
14. A father who leads his son to be a racist harms the child, harms the community where they live, harms our hopes for a better world. A father who teaches his son that there is only one sexual orientation and that anything else is evil denies our humanity and his own.
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 people who were blamed for being black and forced to suffer for something they couldn't do anything about. It is 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 speech to convince others.
18. In the land of my birth I cannot vote, whereas an eighteen year old can vote. And because? Because he or she possesses that wonderful biological attribute.
It means that this young man is white. A painful proof of the racism of his 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 a time that found that this phrase by Desmond Tutu is completely true.
23. Niger is not an isolated island of despair. It stands in a sea of problems across Africa - particularly '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, the people who went to church on Sundays, all the Sundays.
Another phrase about racism and those who perpetrated it.
25. In many ways, when you are a Nobel Peace Prize winner, you have an obligation towards humanity, towards society.
Tutu, in a vision that demonstrates his leadership and his constant struggle for peace.
