People ask me about what sacrifices I've made. I always answer: I've made no sacrifices, I've made choices.
Aung San Suu KyiRead
When the Nobel Committee chose to honor me, the road I had chosen of my own free will became a less lonely path to follow.
Interpretation
Recognition can transform a personal journey into a shared experience, providing support and validation.
In this quote, Aung San Suu Kyi reflects on how receiving the Nobel Prize not only recognized her struggles but also connected her path with others who supported her cause. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledgment in making a solitary journey feel less isolating, as it demonstrates that one's efforts are appreciated and shared by a greater community.
In practice
In a speech celebrating human rights, one might use this quote to highlight the power of recognition.
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 wished I died in that attack with my cousin, with my south Vietnamese soldiers. I wish I died at that time so I won't suffer like that anymore... it was so hard for me to carry all that burden with that hatred, with that anger and bitterness.
As long as a man had the courage to reject what society told him to do, he could live life on his own terms. To what end? To be free. But free to what end? To read books, to write books, to think.
It is foolish to fear that which you cannot avoid. -Stultum est timere quod vitare non potes
Our biggest thing is, any player who's protesting will tell you that the only reason we use the anthem is because it's a platform like no other. We use it to draw attention to other issues. We've heard from many people, 'Use a different venue. Use a different platform.' Quite frankly, this is the most effective one.
If the work is worthwhile, then whether we can complete it or not, it's worth making the attempt. That's why courage is important.
Our health care workers are the heroes of the Covid-19 response.
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