Quotes By Lech Walesa

This conviction brought me, in the summer of 1978, to the Free Trade Unions - formed by a group of courageous and dedicated people who came out in the defense of the workers' rights and dignity.

I cannot stand for more than half an hour in one place.

I risked my life.

I belong to a nation which over the past centuries has experienced many hardships and reverses. The world reacted with silence or with mere sympathy when Polish frontiers were crossed by invading armies and the sovereign state had to succumb to brutal force.

Now is the era of intellect, information and the Internet.

When I recall my own path of life I cannot but speak of the violence, hatred and lies. A lesson drawn from such experiences, however, was that we can effectively oppose violence only if we ourselves do not resort to it.

I belong to the generation of workers who, born in the villages and hamlets of rural Poland, had the opportunity to acquire education and find employment in industry, becoming in the course conscious of their rights and importance in society.

My health is very much improved.

I hope to work harder than ever to help people around the world.

My country is in the grips of a major economic crisis. This is causing dramatic consequences for the very existence of Polish families. A permanent economic crisis in Poland may also have serious repercussions for Europe. Thus, Poland ought to be helped and deserves help.

I will talk and act, not on my knees, but with prudence.

I must tell you that the supply of words on the world market is plentiful, but the demand is falling.

I can't imagine the right wing trying to unite without my participation.

People always ask me, 'Lech, aren't you afraid of being killed?' And as an answer I shrug my shoulders.

We hold our heads high, despite the price we have paid, because freedom is priceless.

There is something of the warrior in me.

I represent the concept that pluralism is essential, union pluralism. I made an oath about this.

I want to light the lights of patriotism.

I use many different gadgets connected with computers; I use PCs, laptops and a Palm Pilot. I also use the Internet to visit websites, especially within Polish-language Internet. I usually go to political discussion groups and sites - of course, as I use my real name, people never believe that they are chatting with me!

Capitalism is in crisis.

What until then seemed impossible to achieve has become a fact of life. We have won the right to association in trade unions independent from the authorities, founded and shaped by the working people themselves.

The program of our movement stems from the fundamental moral laws and order.

I am happy that Poland is returning to the road of pluralism and democracy.

I'm lazy. But it's the lazy people who invented the wheel and the bicycle because they didn't like walking or carrying things.

I have a vision, and I know I'm right.

The politicians always told us that the Cold War stand-off could only change by way of nuclear war. None of them believed that such systemic change was possible.

I decided to get to know my opponents and their arguments.

People are most important.

I allowed myself to be taken in by the intellectuals. I believed too much in the Polish intellectuals and followed their advice.

Our national history has so often filled us with bitterness and the feeling of helplessness.