Quotes from Aung San Suu Kyi

Of course I regret not having been able to spend time with my family.

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.

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.

Maybe it is something to do with age, but I have become fonder of poetry than of prose.

My attitude is, do as much as I can while I'm free. And if I'm arrested I'll still do as much as I can.

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.

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

Since we live in this world, we have to do our best for this world.

I don't understand why people say that I am full of courage. I feel terribly nervous.

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

In politics, you also have to be cautiously optimistic.

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.

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

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.

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.

Democracy is when the people keep a government in check.

War is not the only arena where peace is done to death.

Freedom and democracy are dreams you never give up.

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

One wants to be together with one's family. That's what families are about.

For me, 'revolution' simply means radical change.

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

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

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