It is often in the name of cultural integrity as well as social stability and national security that democratic reforms based on human rights are resisted by authoritarian governments.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

The democracy process provides for political and social change without violence.

It is often in the name of cultural integrity as well as social stability and national security that democratic reforms based on human rights are resisted by authoritarian governments.

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.

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

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

All military regimes use security as the reason why they should remain in power. It's nothing original.

All repressive laws must be revoked, and laws introduced to protect the rights of the people.

As long as there is no law in Burma, any individual here can be arrested at any time.

Assuming the chairmanship of ASEAN isn't going to do anything about improving the lives of people.

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

Books always help.

Burmese authors and artists can play the role that artists everywhere play. They help to mold the outlook of a society - not the whole outlook, and they are not the only ones to mold the outlook of society, but they have an important role to play there.

By helping others, you will learn how to help yourselves.

Dissidents can't be dissidents forever; we are dissidents because we don't want to be dissidents.

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

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.

For me, 'revolution' simply means radical change.

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

Freedom and democracy are dreams you never give up.

Fundamental violations of human rights always lead to people feeling less and less human.

History is always changing.

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.

Humor is one of the best ingredients of survival.

I am not unaware of the saying that more tears have been shed over wishes granted than wishes denied.

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

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

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

I don't believe in professional dissidents. I think it's just a phase, like adolescence.

I don't think of myself as unbreakable. Perhaps I'm just rather flexible and adaptable.

I don't think you can work on feelings in politics, apart from anything else, political change can come very unexpectedly, sometimes overnight when you least expect it.

I don't want to be president, but I want to be free to decide whether or not I want to be president of this country.

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 felt that it was my duty not to senselessly waste my time. And since I didn't want to waste my time, I tried to accomplish as much as possible.

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 look forward to trying the Internet.

I only used a cell phone for the first time after I was released. I had difficulty coping with it because it seemed so small and insubstantial.

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 think sometimes if you are alone, you are freer because your time is your own.

I think when the people in Burma stop thinking about whether or not they're free, it'll mean that they're free.

I think, if you have enough inner resources, then you can live in isolation for long periods of time and not feel diminished by it.

I was a bit of a coward when I was small. I was terribly frightened of the dark.

I was heartened that people everywhere want certain basic freedoms, even if they live in a totally different cultural environment.

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.