evidence: Fact Check: Did Mandela say 'Fools multiply when wise men are silent'? An American page recently shared a quote they claim to be from the late Nelson Mandela, saying that 'Fools multiply when wise men are silent'. Briefly.co.za has a look to see if there is any truth to this. [...] U.S. Democratic Voices recently shared a questionable Nelson Mandela quote, claiming that the late icon had said: