Quotes By Aung San Suu Kyi

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.

I don't want to see the military falling. I want to see the military rising to dignified heights of professionalism and true patriotism.

Sanctions are not really an economic weapon.

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.

Freedom and democracy are dreams you never give up.

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.

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.

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

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.

What does Burma have to give the United States? We can give you the opportunity to engage with people who are ready and willing to change a society.

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

Maybe it is something to do with age, but I have become fonder of poetry than of prose.

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.

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.

After all it was my father who founded the Burmese army and I do have a sense of warmth towards the Burmese army.

A family is very special. So when a family splits up, it's not good, it's never good.

Even one voice can be heard loudly all over the world in this day and age.

I learned to work on a computer years before I was placed under house arrest. Fortunately I had two laptops when I was under house arrest - one an Apple and one a different operating system. I was very proud of that because I know how to use both systems.

I do not hold to non-violence for moral reasons, but for political and practical reasons.

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.

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

When I was under house arrest, it was the BBC that spoke to me - I listened.

I would like to have seen my sons growing up.

There is a time to be quiet and a time to talk.