I was going to write — and rant and rave — about #RacistPresident’s latest outrages, his “go back” tweets and, most especially, the Klan rally last night which he claimed was a “campaign rally.” This is all headed somewhere really awful, I’m afraid, and it will only get worse. There are still 474 days before the election.

But then I realized that today is Nelson Mandela Day, marking the great man’s birth 101 years ago. So I will use the occasion to offer an antidote to the miasma flowing from the White House, a collection of favorite Mandela quotes. This may be cheating, blog-writing-wise, but I think we could all use a little fresh air.

• It always seems impossible until it is done.
• The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
• As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.
• A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don’t have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed.
• Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts.
• Live life as though nobody is watching, and express yourself as though everyone is listening.
• Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.
• Your playing small does not serve the world. Who are you not to be great?
• Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water, and salt for all.Happy Birthday, Madiba!