Quotes By Aung San Suu Kyi

The judiciary must be strengthened and released from political interference.

I think when the people in Burma stop thinking about whether or not they're free, it'll mean that they're free.

It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.

The history of the world shows that peoples and societies do not have to pass through a fixed series of stages in the course of development.

I was heartened that people everywhere want certain basic freedoms, even if they live in a totally different cultural environment.

My opinion is the greatest reward that any government could get is the approval of the people. If the people are happy and the people are at peace and the government has done something for them, that's the greatest reward I think any government could hope for.

One wants to be together with one's family. That's what families are about.

At this age, I should be leading a quiet life.

I don't think I have achieved anything that I can really be proud of.

If you do nothing you get nothing.

I look forward to trying the Internet.

Suffering degrades, embitters and enrages.

I wish people wouldn't think of me as a saint - unless they agree with the definition of a saint that a saint's a sinner who goes on trying.

My attitude to peace is rather based on the Burmese definition of peace - it really means removing all the negative factors that destroy peace in this world. So peace does not mean just putting an end to violence or to war, but to all other factors that threaten peace, such as discrimination, such as inequality, poverty.

Sanctions are not really an economic weapon.

In general people feel more relaxed about participating in politics. They aren't frightened as they used to be.

Democracy is when the people keep a government in check.

Sometimes I think that a parody of democracy could be more dangerous than a blatant dictatorship, because that gives people an opportunity to avoid doing anything about it.

I've always said that the more coordinated the efforts of the international community are, the better it will be for democracy in Burma.

With the right kind of institutions, starting with the rule of law, Burma could progress very quickly.

Humor is one of the best ingredients of survival.

Freedom and democracy are dreams you never give up.

People keep saying I've changed. I used to be confrontational. But I'm - I haven't changed. It was - it's just that circumstances have changed.

If you can make people understand why freedom is so important through the arts, that would be a big help.

I could listen to the radio and I had access to books from time to time. Not all the time.

Human beings the world over need freedom and security that they may be able to realize their full potential.

More people, especially young people, are realising that if they want change, they've got to go about it themselves - they can't depend on a particular person, i.e. me, to do all the work. They are less easy to fool than they used to be, they now know what's going on all over the world.

To be forgotten, is to die a little.

If you choose to do something, then you shouldn't say it's a sacrifice, because nobody forced you to do it.

The struggle for democracy and human rights in Burma is a struggle for life and dignity. It is a struggle that encompasses our political, social and economic aspirations.