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

To view the opposition as dangerous is to misunderstand the basic concepts of democracy. To oppress the opposition is to assault the very foundation of democracy.

European and American companies companies do create jobs for some people but what they're mainly going to do is make an already wealthy elite wealthier, and increase its greed and strong desire to hang on to power. So immediately and in the long run, these companies - harm the democratic process a great deal.

People should be concerned about installing a more sensible, responsible government. What we [the burmese] need is a government that is accountable and transparent, so that the people know what it is doing and can judge for themselves whether or not they like what is being done.

You may not think about politics, but politics think about you.

With the right kind of institutions, starting with the rule of law, Burma could progress very quickly.

Calamities that are not the result of purely natural phenomena usually have their origins, distant and obscure though they may be, in common human failings.