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

We do need great change in Burma. We are trying to build a new society, a society where basic human rights are respected, and where our people enjoy all the benefits of democratic institutions.

I was surprised by the response of young people because there is a perception that those younger than the 1988 generation are not interested in politics.

I think that freedom is sometimes a state of mind. Sometimes, mind you, but not always.

If you look at the democratic process as a game of chess, there have to be many, many moves before you get to checkmate. And simply because you do not make any checkmate in three moves does not mean it's stalemate. There's a vast difference between no checkmate and stalemate. This is what the democratic process is like.

You have a great many things to do when you are under house arrest. On the one hand, it is more comfortable than sitting in prison; on the other hand, you have to look after a household, which is strenuous under such circumstances.

I would like to have seen my sons growing up.