I learned to work on a computer years before I was placed under house arrest. Fortunately I had two laptops when I was under house arrest - one an Apple and one a different operating system. I was very proud of that because I know how to use both systems.

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.

Part of our struggle is to make the international community understand that we are a poor country not because there is an insufficiency of resources and investment, but because we are deprived of the basic institutions and practices that make for good government.

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.

I think by now I have made it fairly clear that I am not very happy with the word hope. I don't believe in people just hoping.

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

I think I was the healthiest prisoner of conscience in the world.