People ask me about what sacrifices I've made. I always answer: I've made no sacrifices, I've made choices.
I think I was the healthiest prisoner of conscience in the world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Aung San Suu Kyi reflects on her resilience and strength as a political prisoner, emphasizing her mental and spiritual health despite physical captivity.
This quote by Aung San Suu Kyi highlights the paradox of her situation as a prisoner of conscience—while she faced significant physical constraints, she felt a sense of inner peace and moral fortitude that made her the 'healthiest' in spirit. It suggests that true health encompasses not just physical well-being but also mental strength and commitment to one's principles, even in the face of adversity.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on human rights, one might reference Aung San Suu Kyi's quote to illustrate the importance of inner strength.
More from Aung San Suu Kyi
All quotes →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.
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I understand that fear is my friend, but not always. Never turn your back on Fear. It should always be in front of you, like a thing that might have to be killed. My father taught me that, along with a few other things that have kept my life interesting.
Few men are born brave. Many become so through training and force of discipline.
The only thing is I am a little bit ashamed of is I didn't come out earlier, that I didn't have the strength to do it, the courage to break that lie. But everyone goes on their own path to do this, and I don't want the struggle to be so hard for other people.
In many ways, I'm incredibly lucky to have been born with my impairment and that it's visible. It means my path has been predictable.
When we're afraid, we lose all sense of analysis and reflection. Our fear paralyzes us. Besides, fear has always been the driving force behind all dictators' repression.
The true courage of civilized nations is readiness for sacrifice in the service of the state, so that the individual counts as only one amongst many. The important thing here is not personal mettle but aligning oneself with the universal.