Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s famous and timeless quotes

As South African’s and many around the world mourn the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, we reflect on the many quotes he has gifted us with. 

Desmond Tutu was not just a member of the clergy, he was also a voice of reason and compassion against poverty, racism, xenophobia, corruption, and was for human development, a human rights advocate, and a key figure in the anti-apartheid movement. 

In his book, ‘In The Book of Joy’, co-written with the Dalai Lama, he uses the Dead Sea in the Middle East as a metaphor for how generosity can bring joy: 

"The Dead Sea in the Middle East receives freshwater, but it has no outlet, so it doesn't pass the water out. It receives beautiful water from the rivers, and the water goes dank. I mean, it just goes bad. And that's why it is the Dead Sea. It receives and does not give. In the end, generosity is the best way of becoming more, more, and more joyful.” 

The Archbishop always encouraged people around the world to come together to achieve peace, here are some of his famous quotes:

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.”

“We are each made for goodness, love and compassion. Our lives are transformed as much as the world is when we live with these truths.”

“Though wrong gratifies in the moment, good yields its gifts over a lifetime.”

“If you want peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.” 

These are timeless quotes, they will always have meaning and their impact on society will always be present. 

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