The only biography I've ever read
I read "Long Walk to Freedom" last year; the first and only biography I've ever finished. I was captivated by it.
I consider myself a moral person. I am by no means perfect in that respect, but ethicality plays a role in every decision I make.
In a discussion with a colleague of mine just after I finished the book, he made a comment to the affect of "I'm so tired of hearing about and seeing that guy all over the media. Don't you think they're over-selling his image?"
This single comment triggered so many thoughts and emotions in me: Anger that my colleague would ever think that such a morally-driven person was spending too much time in the spotlight, disgust at the influx of immoral personalities winning over the admiration of audiences worldwide, curiosity about the validity of his observation, questions about the corruption of righteousness by the groups trying to spread those ideals, and a sense of pride in the human race that accompanies every recollection of Nelson Mandela's life-long moral stance.
Regardless of how you feel about his beliefs, it must be admired that Mandela dedicated his life to them. He stood up for what he believed even when the consequences of doing so diminished his "quality of life" and threatened harm. To hold a conviction so much higher than your social status, physical comfort or future security—to live by that conviction—is an increasingly rare occurrence and one I believe should be revered.
If you haven't read the book and are interested in doing so, check it out here.