Human beings the world over need freedom and security that they may be able to realize their full potential. Aung San Suu Kyi on freedom
Freedom and democracy are dreams you never give up. Aung San Suu Kyi on freedom
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. Aung San Suu Kyi on freedom
If you can make people understand why freedom is so important through the arts, that would be a big help. Aung San Suu Kyi on freedom
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. Aung San Suu Kyi on future
Democracy is when the people keep a government in check. Aung San Suu Kyi on government
Peace as a goal is an ideal which will not be contested by any government or nation, not even the most belligerent. Aung San Suu Kyi on government
Every government must consider the security of the country. That is just part of the responsibilities of any government. But true security can only come out of unity within a country where there are so many ethnic nationalities. Aung San Suu Kyi on government
If I was afraid of being killed, I would never speak out against the government. Aung San Suu Kyi on government
My opinion is the greatest reward that any government could get is the approval of the people. If the people are happy and the people are at peace and the government has done something for them, that's the greatest reward I think any government could hope for. Aung San Suu Kyi on government
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. Aung San Suu Kyi on history
In terms of the history of a far reaching movement, 20 years is not that long. Aung San Suu Kyi on history
I do protect human rights, and I hope I shall always be looked up as a champion of human rights. Aung San Suu Kyi on hope
I think by now I have made it fairly clear that I am not very happy with the word hope. I don't believe in people just hoping. Aung San Suu Kyi on hope
My opinion is the greatest reward that any government could get is the approval of the people. If the people are happy and the people are at peace and the government has done something for them, that's the greatest reward I think any government could hope for. Aung San Suu Kyi on hope
Humor is one of the best ingredients of survival. Aung San Suu Kyi on humor
I haven't heard any music on the BBC World Service in a long time. Maybe I'm listening at the wrong times. But not one single piece of music. Aung San Suu Kyi on music
I don't want to see the military falling. I want to see the military rising to dignified heights of professionalism and true patriotism. Aung San Suu Kyi on patriotism
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. Aung San Suu Kyi on peace