At this age, I should be leading a quiet life.
— Aung San Suu Kyi
People must work in unison.
I was surprised by the response of young people because there is a perception that those younger than the 1988 generation are not interested in politics.
We always think that everybody can do a little bit more, if not a lot more.
Whatever help we may want from the international community now or in the future, we want to make sure that this help is tailored to help our people to help themselves.
We will not change in matters of policy until such time as dialogue has begun.
A more significant phase should mean serious political dialogue.
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.
Peace as a goal is an ideal which will not be contested by any government or nation, not even the most belligerent.
Human beings the world over need freedom and security that they may be able to realize their full potential.
Since we live in this world, we have to do our best for this world.
There is a time to be quiet and a time to talk.
I saw many aspects of the country which I needed to see in order that I might know what we need to do.
I don't want Burma to be a basket case forever.
We are not out to boast that there is so much percentage of growth per year. Our real concern is how it affects the lives of people, the future of our country.
Once serious political dialogue has begun, the international community can assume that we have achieved genuine progress along the road to real democratisation.
Confidence-building is not something that can go on forever. If it goes on forever then it becomes counterproductive.
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.
It is often in the name of cultural integrity as well as social stability and national security that democratic reforms based on human rights are resisted by authoritarian governments.
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.
I do not hold to non-violence for moral reasons, but for political and practical reasons.
There is so much that we need to do for our country. I don't think that we can afford to wait.
Sanctions and boycotts would be tied to serious political dialogue.
We want to empower our people; we want to strengthen them; we want to provide them with the kind of qualifications that will enable them to build up their own country themselves.
When we think of the state of the economy, we are not thinking in terms of money flow. We are thinking in terms of the effect on everyday lives of people.
I have been free for more than a month. Some people may think that that is long enough. Others may think that that is not quite long enough.
The value systems of those with access to power and of those far removed from such access cannot be the same. The viewpoint of the privileged is unlike that of the underprivileged.
The democracy process provides for political and social change without violence.
I think I should be active politically. Because I look upon myself as a politician. That's not a dirty work you know. Some people think that there are something wrong with politicians. Of course, something wrong with some politicians.
