Aung San Suu Kyi

“Human beings want to be free and however long they may agree to stay locked up, to stay oppressed, there will come a time when they say 'That's it.' Suddenly they find themselves doing something that they never would have thought they would be doing, simply because of the human instinct that makes them turn their face towards freedom.”

“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.”

“If I advocate cautious optimism it is not because I do not have faith in the future but because I do not want to encourage blind faith.”

“One person alone can't do anything as important as bringing genuine democracy to a country.”

“Humor is one of the best ingredients of survival.”

“Freedom and democracy are dreams you never give up.”

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

“I've always tried to explain democracy is not perfect. But it gives you a chance to shape your own destiny.”

“I don't understand why people say that I am full of courage. I feel terribly nervous.”

“Democracy is when the people keep a government in check.”

“My attitude is, do as much as I can while I'm free. And if I'm arrested I'll still do as much as I can.”

“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.”

“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.”