Believe: The Words and Inspiration of Desmond Tutu

by Desmond Tutu

BELIEVE: The Words and Inspiration of Desmond Tutu is part of the new Me We book series from Blue Mountain ArtsA(R). Inspired by the life and philosophy of one of the 20th centuryas most remarkable humanitarians, this book combines compelling photographs of Archbishop Tutu with quotations from his most inspiring speeches and writings to capture the true essence of his timeless messages of peace, freedom, and love. The book also includes an introduction by Tutu and an in-depth biographical essay by South African writer/novelist Mike Nicol.

Genres: Nonfiction, Inspirational, Biography, Religion, Theology

95 pages, Hardcover

First published April 2, 2007

About the author

Desmond Mpilo Tutu was a South African cleric and activist who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid. In 1984, Tutu became the second South African to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Tutu was the first black South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, and primate of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa (now the Anglican Church of Southern Africa). Tutu chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and is currently the chairman of The Elders. Tutu was vocal in his defense of human rights and used his high profile to campaign for the oppressed. Tutu also campaigned to fight AIDS, homophobia, poverty and racism.

He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism, the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2005 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. Tutu has also compiled several books of his speeches and sayings.

Reviews

[Corrie Mwende · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first read of 2021 and I am definitely getting Desmond Tutu's biography (ies). This biographical essay shows how powerful we human beings are if only we are intentional with the change we want to see in the world. One thing that stood out for me in Desmond Tutu's teachings from the book is, to do good is not just to be altruistic. Happy I picked this as my kick starter in 2021.

[Leroy Seat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the "The Words and Inspiration of" series. The first three are "Dream," "Peace," and "Love," containing words of Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Teresa. Archbishop Tutu was a good choice for this series, and this book by and about him is presented in a very attractive manner.

After a brief introductory message by Tutu, there is helpful, fourteen-page biographical essay about him. The rest of the book contains excepts from several of Tutu's sermons or public addresses.

The book is brief, with pictures and a lot of white space. But it is a book that one could read with profit every once in a while. I particularly liked the following statements.

Tutu said in a 1981 sermon, “To be neutral in a situation of injustice is to have chosen sides already. It is to support the status quo” (p. 67).

And in the same sermon, “Peace involves inevitable righteousness, justice, wholesomeness, fullness of life, participation in decision making, goodness, laughter, joy, compassion, sharing, and reconciliation” (p. 67).

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

beautiful quotes

[Alvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

18-22

[Regel Aggabao · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If we have loved well while we were alive, there is life after death here - our love will go on for generations.”

“Differences are not intended to separate, to alienate. We are different precisely in order to realize our need of one another. “

God, I love reading speeches and picking out quotable and impactful strings of words in them.

[Kevyn]

My goal for this quarter in school was to chose reading books which were more practical and more useful to me in terms of learning history and real life events. And this book, a book about a real life hero, is one example of these kinds of books. "Believe" is about the life and times of archbishop and South African civil rights activist Desmond Tutu. I enjoyed this book very much because it is both a biography of the man and an explanation of his more famous quotes. And it's also an explanation of the meaning of the quotes. Now, in the first section of the book, we learn about Bishop Tutu's personal life in a "biography-like" style of writing. Throughout the rest of the book, though, his quotes are used to explain his life and his civil rights activities in the country of South Africa, none of which I knew about before I read this book. I liked this book because even though I had heard many of the quotes before such as, "a person is a person through other persons", I never knew the author of the quotes until I read "Believe". And a saying like this actually makes you think about yourself and how you fit in and can change the society around you. When I first read this quote, for example, I thought about how kids can sometimes be just like their parents. I think a lot of things one thinks about, how one acts and what actions one takes are really just a reflection of what your parents have taught by their actions or conversations and what you’ve learned from the other influential people in your life The most simple example of this is when you plan to watch a certain television show, you probably do so because you have heard about the show from someone close to you. And then you pass this information on and soon, you might find that soon "everyone is watching the show!". I also found these quotes and sayings interesting because I realize that each quote or saying an can be interpreted and used in different ways by each individual person for their own purposes. I liked this book because it was very different from anything I usually read. It was more like a biography and a collection of quotes, and i, again, usually read fiction. I would recommend this book to anyone who is older than 15 or 16. Anyone younger than that might find this book boring and probably would not understand it anyway.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you believe....this book will challenge you to believe in the humanity that God has created to shape for the world....if you don't believe...his stories of crap that he endured will make you despondent but then you'll come to the stories that rose him above those and find hope once again! Such an incredible challenge, considering i never really knew much about desmond tutu except that he was loved the world over...... now i know why....

[Ann Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wisdom is quiet, yet hopeful. It is seasoned, but ever new, analytical, loving, dignified and determined to believe the best for all of us. These are the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Believe features so many wonderful excerpts from speeches and sermons meant to teach and inspire all within the sound of his voice. This little book packs a powerful punch.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Believe is a very quick read but it holds a lot of valuable pieces of wisdom. I felt as if Desmond Tutu was speaking to the issues of our world today, despite these quotes coming from decades before. I really identified with the quote, “To be neutral in a situation of injustice is to have chosen sides already. It is to support the status quo.”

[Alanna Lewis]

A must read for everyone. The importance of love, embracing our humanity and conquering our fear. His attitude is awe-inspiring and almost impossible to believe sometimes in the face of such violence and hate. It is one that is needed though because as is seen, it breaks down all barriers.

[Theresa Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great find. I bought it for $3 at Schulers. It was well worth it. I read it in less than an hour. It is about the life of Desmond Tutu, his struggles and triumphs. There are also fabulous quotes in the back of the book; words to live by. What a great man.

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool collection of sayings by Tutu

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concise biography and selected quotations. A thin but beautifully formatted introduction.

[Heidi]

A book of quotes, plus two short essays, one by Tutu, one on him. The white space around the quotes begs for decoration, to which temptation I may yet succumb.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the MeWe series published by Blue mountain Arts, it's a small collection of quotes and philosophy of Archbishop Tutu.

[John Worthington · Rating 2 out of 5]

My brother gave me this book to read; I had a hard time reading it but found several quotes from Archbishop Tutu that were excellent.

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful book about Desmond Tutu and then many wonderful quotes attributed to him. Very uplifting.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an excellent reminder of what we need to think about when dealing with other people. It also is very helpful that it utilizes Desmond Tutu's words and biography so succinctly.

[Syrlane Albuquerque · Rating 4 out of 5]

great selection of Tutu's story and quotes

[Carolyn Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believe inspires one to take action, at least in their hearts, to create a better world. Mr. Tutu makes any good thing seem possible.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple little book with quotes and stories about Desmond Tutu. Quite the human being.

[Joe Rapisarda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read that is short and yet packed with an amazing story and lots of great wisdom quotes.

[Panda Mother Supreme · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read to a fresh morning. I feel proud for how far my country, South Africa, has come to reach the steps towards compassion for each other. We live in a rich atmosphere of cultures, religions, personalities and genders. I could never understand why some hat to hate others for being different. This book reminded me how South Africa still has many more steps to take, but the goal of peace is possible.

Favourite Quotes:

Pg 3
“Ubuntu addresses a central tenet of African Philosophy: the essence of what it is to be human.”

Pg3
“A person is a person through other people.”


Pg10
“And when we have a death, we cry like you cry.”

Pg28
“If we have loved well while we were alive, there is life after death here- our love will go on for generations.”

Pg39
“Whether we oppress or liberate our children in our relationships with them will determine whether they grow up to oppress and be oprressed or to liberate and be liberated.”

Pg40
“Don’t raise your voice. Improve your argument.”

Pg55
“When you have a hand and you have only the separate fingers, it is easy for people to break the fingers. But when you put the fingers together it is diifuccilt to break them. Let us come together and be one, let us be people of peace, let us be people of harmony .”

Pg57
“Those who forget the past, as many have pointed out, are doomed to repeat it.”

Pg90
“We are severely impoverished if we do not encounter people of faiths with reverence and respect for their belief and integrity.”

Pg92
“We are different so that we can know our need of one another.”

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful overlook of Tutu's life followed by some of his best sayings, quotations, and bits of his sermons and other speeches from over the years. Brief, quick, easy work that is captivating of his life and is a fantastic look back on who Desmond Tutu is and what he represented.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

the words and inspiration of Desmond Tutu—v. short, easy to read and inspiring. Hardback (small), 92 pgs., gift of one of Dale’s clients, 2007, read Jun. ‘10

[Phyllis Fredericksen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully compiled book of the writings of Desmond Tutu. Short passages provide an ideal start for meditating.

[DEIRDRE PARKER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful quick overview with a ton a great quotes!!

[Linda Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Everyone should read it, young and old. I am now gifting the book to a niece to share with her kids.

[Andres Esguerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and easy read. It includes a great summary of Desmond Tutu’s biography and lots of touching, quotable quotes.