12 of our favourite inspiring quotes from President S R Nathan on love, life and Singapore

As we mourn the loss of Singapore’s longest-serving president, let us celebrate his life and excellence with these quotes from Mr Nathan himself

By Nora Jumari - 23 Aug 2016

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Image: Kua Chee Siong

It’s a sombre day for us Singaporeans as we mourn the loss of our sixth and former president, S R Nathan. Mr Nathan was Singapore’s longest-serving president, occupying the highest office of the land from 1999 to 2011. In his 12 years as president, he was widely perceived as being warm and approachable to the everyday man. “He was truly a man of the people; a President for all Singaporeans,” said Indranee Rajah, a fellow politician, on her most recent Facebook post.

Prior to his presidency, he was a social worker and a trade union activist. Mr Nathan never lost sight of the less fortunate; he personally sponsored needy students through university or polytechnic, and also helped to secure special medical care for accident victims who were unable to afford their full treatment fees. He also founded the President’s Challenge, which has since raised over $160 million and counting for Singapore’s charities.

Let us celebrate his life and excellence as we share with you our selection of thought-inspiring quotes we love from Mr Nathan himself.

Rest in peace, Mr S R Nathan.

CLICK THROUGH THE GALLERY FOR OUR FAVOURITE INSPIRING QUOTES FROM FORMER PRESIDENT S R NATHAN

For more stories, head over to our lifestyle section.

#1: ON SINGAPORE

1/12

“The question of peace, progress and prosperity, it’s a motherhood statement, all of us like it.”

Source

Image: ST File

See also: Singapore’s longest-serving president S R Nathan dies at 92

For more stories, head over to our lifestyle section.

#2: ON BEING A PART OF THE GOVERNMENT

2/12

“Whether in the office of the President or in the executive arm of Government, we’ll always need people of strong character and vision who resist populist pressures and the temptation to sacrifice the long-term interest of the nation in response to those who merely snipe without having to take responsibility.”

Source

Image: ST File

See also: Singapore’s longest-serving president S R Nathan dies at 92

For more stories, head over to our lifestyle section.

#3: ON HAVING A DUTY TO SINGAPORE

3/12

“We can criticise, we can comment, we can abuse, we can say…but ultimately if it fails, we all fail. So that’s the duty we have. To uphold it, to let it grow, to let it stand in the eyes of the world as something important, something worth recognising. So that’s the duty.”

Source

Image: ST File

See also: Singapore’s longest-serving president S R Nathan dies at 92

For more stories, head over to our lifestyle section.

#4: ON STEPPING DOWN AS PRESIDENT

4/12

“When I was sworn in as President in 1999, I said that I will be a President for all Singaporeans, with every community of Singaporeans as my parish. I have tried to live up to that, engaging the different races and religious groups in every way possible."

Source

Image: ST File

See also: Singapore’s longest-serving president S R Nathan dies at 92

For more stories, head over to our lifestyle section.

#5: ON THE CLOSE ELECTION FIGHT

5/12

“I made up my mind to leave, so I am happy the end is coming. I can go back to a private life. Every good thing must come to an end.”

Source

Image: Berita Harian

See also: Singapore’s longest-serving president S R Nathan dies at 92

For more stories, head over to our lifestyle section.

#6: ON THE CLOSE ELECTION FIGHT

6/12

“Even if you win by one vote, it is still a victory.”

Source

Image: ST File

See also: Singapore’s longest-serving president S R Nathan dies at 92

For more stories, head over to our lifestyle section.

#7: ON SINGAPORE

7/12

“I’ve done the best I can. If it’s good enough for some people, fine. If it’s not good enough for some people, and there will always be noise in the environment, you can’t stop it. You don’t do it because you want to leave a legacy. You do the best you can.”

Source

Image: The New Paper

See also: Singapore’s longest-serving president S R Nathan dies at 92

For more stories, head over to our lifestyle section.

#8: ON HIS RETIREMENT PLANS

8/12

“Nothing is substantive in what I’m going to do. I don’t want any responsibility. I want to be free to do what I want.”

Source

Image: ST File

See also: Singapore’s longest-serving president S R Nathan dies at 92

For more stories, head over to our lifestyle section.

#9: ON SOCIAL MEDIA

9/12

“I hear from my grandchildren about Facebook and whatever you have. So after I’ve stepped down, I have time and I will have to learn all that. But anyway, I’m not going into Facebook and tell stories. No point. Not all people on Facebook or whatever you call it, are honest people. Some of them are very critical of things without responsibility.”

Source

Image: ST File

See also: Singapore’s longest-serving president S R Nathan dies at 92

For more stories, head over to our lifestyle section.

#10: ON LOVE

10/12

“It’s an emotional feeling and something triggers inside you. You just know this is the person you are meant to be with. You forget about the whole world and you think only about this person. Your imagination runs wild.”

Source

Image: ST File

See also: Singapore’s longest-serving president S R Nathan dies at 92

For more stories, head over to our lifestyle section.

#11: ON WHAT GAVE HIM THE MOST SATISFACTION

11/12

“The way I’ve been accepted by people of all races, of all strata of society, of all persuasions, who have embraced me and accepted me as their President. I’ve tried to behave in a way not to let them down either locally or internationally. I’ve tried to preserve in some ways the aura of the presidency which must be kept because it’s an institution above politics.”

Source

Image: Berita Harian

See also: Singapore’s longest-serving president S R Nathan dies at 92

For more stories, head over to our lifestyle section.

#12: ON STEPPING DOWN

12/12

“I am deeply touched by such affection shown to me by Singaporeans, and I will always cherish that memory.”

Source

Image: ST File

See also: Singapore’s longest-serving president S R Nathan dies at 92

For more stories, head over to our lifestyle section.