Aung San Suu Kyi

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.

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.

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.

In politics, you also have to be cautiously optimistic.

In general people feel more relaxed about participating in politics. They aren't frightened as they used to be.

Frankly, if you do politics, you should not be thinking about your dignity.

The Nobel Peace Prize opened up a door in my heart.

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

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.

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.

I do protect human rights, and I hope I shall always be looked up as a champion of human rights.

History is always changing.

In terms of the history of a far reaching movement, 20 years is not that long.

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.

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.

If I was afraid of being killed, I would never speak out against the 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.

Peace as a goal is an ideal which will not be contested by any government or nation, not even the most belligerent.

Democracy is when the people keep a government in check.

If you can make people understand why freedom is so important through the arts, that would be a big help.