Quotes By Lech Walesa

Communism is a monopolistic system, economically and politically.

Lying at the root of the social agreements of 1980 are the courage, sense of responsibility, and the solidarity of the working people. Both sides have then recognized that an accord must be reached if bloodshed is to be prevented.

I made the right decisions, I set everything on the right course, the reforms are going in the right direction.

Democracy is made up of three elements. One is whether the laws support pluralistic principles. The second is whether the people take advantage of these laws. The third element is whether the peoples' wallets are thick enough to benefit from this democracy.

Obviously people want social calm, but if you do not let clever and ingenious people to participate, obviously there must be some dormant volcano that will erupt, sooner or later.

My youth passed at the time of the country's reconstruction from the ruins and ashes of the war in which my nation never bowed to the enemy paying the highest price in the struggle.

I am no politician.

I don't like to look a man in the eye.

I am overjoyed that I do not need a heart transplant at this time.

He who puts out his hand to stop the wheel of history will have his fingers crushed.

Communists are great capitalists, so there is no threat anymore.

You should go to the polls, organize yourself. But once lawmakers are chosen, they must be respected.

My most ardent desire is that my country will recapture its historic opportunity for a peaceful evolution and that Poland will prove to the world that even the most complex situations can be solved by a dialogue and not by force.

One could always do more, faster and cleverer, but democracy has its own rhythm.

The defense of our rights and our dignity, as well as efforts never to let ourselves to be overcome by the feeling of hatred - this is the road we have chosen.

I believe that any violation of privacy is nothing good.

I got politics and economics moving and then others took over.

Freedom must be gained step by step, slowly. Freedom is a food which must be carefully administered when people are too hungry for it.

I have more than 100 honorary Ph.D.s.

The hope of the nation which throughout the nineteenth century had not for a moment reconciled itself with the loss of independence, and fighting for its own freedom, fought at the same time for the freedom of other nations.

I had my own battle tactics.

The supply of words in the world market is plentiful but the demand is falling. Let deeds follow words now.

Dictators and oppressors should continue to fear me because I will be here for a long time.

Authority must be respected and chosen wisely.

It is hardly possible to build anything if frustration, bitterness and a mood of helplessness prevail.

The fall of the Berlin Wall makes for nice pictures. But it all started in the shipyards.

In myself I am nothing. It all comes from God and the Virgin Mary.

I realize that the strivings of the Polish people gave rise, and still do so, to the feelings of understanding and solidarity all over the world.

For now, capitalism is working to produce more money but does not see the people. This problem is getting worse across the world.

The thing that lies at the foundation of positive change, the way I see it, is service to a fellow human being.