Aung San Suu Kyi

People ask me about what sacrifices I've made. I always answer: I've made no sacrifices, I've made choices.

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.

This was the way I was brought up to think of politics, that politics was to do with ethics, it was to do with responsibility, it was to do with service, so I think I was conditioned to think like that, and I'm too old to change now.

My top priority is for people to understand that they have the power to change things themselves.

If you want to bring an end to long-standing conflict, you have to be prepared to compromise.

Where there is no justice there can be no secure peace.

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 always say that one has no right to hope without endeavor.

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

We achieve everything by our efforts alone. Our fate is not decided by an almighty God. We decide our own fate by our actions. You have to gain mystery over yourself. It is not a matter of sitting back and accepting.

Fearlessness may be a gift but perhaps more precious is the courage acquired through endeavour, courage that comes from cultivating the habit of refusing to let fear dictate one's actions, courage that could be described as 'grace under pressure' - grace which is renewed repeatedly in the face of harsh, unremitting pressure.

The only real prison is fear, and the only real freedom is freedom from fear

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

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.

When you decide to follow a certain path, you should follow it to the end and not be diverted from it for personal reasons.

The people have given me their support; they have given me their trust and confidence. My colleagues have suffered a lot in order to give me support. I do not look upon my life as a sacrifice at all.

The basis of democratic freedom is freedom of speech.

Every thought, every word, and every action that adds to the positive and the wholesome is a contribution to peace. Each and every one of us is capable of making such a contribution.

Please use your freedom to promote ours.

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

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.