"Love rather than hate..."

5 Dec 201343
Bono remembers Nelson Mandela.

'It was as if he was born to teach the age a lesson in humility, in humour and above all else in patience.

In the end, Nelson Mandela showed us how to love rather than hate, not because he had never surrendered to rage or violence, but because he learnt that love would do a better job.  Mandela played with the highest stakes.  He put his family, his country, his time, his life on the line, and he won most of these contests. Stubborn til the end for all the right reasons, it felt like he very nearly outstared his maker.

Today, finally, he blinked. And some of us cry, knowing our eyes were opened to so much because of him.'

Comments
43
You must be a logged-in member to add comments.
David Dechel
He was a true lighthouse among candles
Instinctively he knew more about forgiveness that the rest of us can hope to learn in 10 life times!
BONOBOMUSIC
Thanks
Mr. Mandela, thank you for al you did. Thank you for the inspiration.
eecandrews
A fitting, touching tribute...
So beautifully, poignantly said, by Bono. I was fortunate to see the screening of the film just last week, courtesy of U2.com. It's been with me ever since, haunting me in a beautiful sort of way. The extraordinary love of one man has changed the world and our hearts forever. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and all those touched by his light. I thank you for the chance to get to know his story more deeply.
Avion Espia
He died today...
But he will be a constant presence in the history of mankind. Forever. Rest in pease, dear Madiba. See you soon.
lgg
A sad day for the whole world
Listened to a recording of 46664 (Joe Strummer) and Ordinary Love back to back. Very powerful stuff. Mandela was a mountain of a figure. Bono, you did as well as any of us paying tribute to him here.
tan_lejos_tan_cerca
Love, courage, cleverness
We're sad tonight but he and his legacy will be with us forever. “A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.”
josh1987
Teaching the legacy
I will be using the words and music of U2 in my World History class (as I often do) as we open a discussion and review South Africa, Apartheid, and Nelson Mandela - the man, the peacemaker, the example for us all.
dingbono
He Inspired Me...
Mr. Mandela taught me that one man CAN change the world. I'm 22 and I live with such beliefs. Bono and U2 together changed my world and those of so many others. They finally wrote a song JUST for Mandela and it just went for sale on iTunes... Our hero never dies. Peace.
Stu Wood
Joshua
I just had my 8 year old read this aloud and tried to explain how important this man was. I asked him who else was as brave as Nelson Mandela and he said Martin Luther King Jr. I must be doing something right.
keith234
Jap Keith Raffërty Madiba 18 July1918 -
U2 Ordinary Love Lyrics The sea wants to kiss the golden shore The sunlight warms your skin All the beauty that's been lost before wants to find us again I can't fight you any more, it's you I'm fighting for The sea throws rock together but time leaves us polished stones We can't fall any further If we can't feel ordinary love And we can't reach any higher, If we can't deal with ordinary love Birds fly high in the summer sky and rest on the breeze. The same wind will take care of you and I. We'll build our house in the trees. Your heart is on my sleeve Did you put it there with a magic marker? For years I would believe that the would couldn't wash it away 'Cause We can't fall any further If we can't feel ordinary love And we can't reach any higher Are we tough enough for ordinary love? We can't fall any further, if We can't feel ordinary love And we can't reach any higher, If we can't deal with ordinary love
luiscanf
sad day
God bless u, .....rest in peace...
EH68
Mandela...Forever!
This eyes are really wide open, for what Mandela stood for, which was ¡AMOR! and much more. Bono as always, opens more minds with his beautiful words.
Peter Nordsmark
Ordinary love
Yesterday I got Ordinary Love in hand and on my recordplayer and its still there. Tonight the sad news Mandela blinked and I had to cry. Dear Bono - my feelings this moment are as your fine words.
   Newer comments    31 - 43 of 43    Older comments

RECENT NEWS

15 Mar, 2024

Hear the final U2:UV show on U2 X-Radio this Sunday.

13 Mar, 2024

 Subscribers Special
This is 'One' at the Sphere. (Were you there?)

9
6 Mar, 2024

It was a Beautiful Day. All forty of them. Thank you Las Vegas.

24
5 Mar, 2024

'How long to sing this song?'