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

My top priority is for people to understand that they have the power to change things themselves.

The judiciary must be strengthened and released from political interference.

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

In Burma, we have only about four percent of the people in our country who are (college) graduates. So can we not value the majority? No, we must. If we just value the graduates, then does that mean our people are not valuable? I don't believe that. What is important is we need right people in right positions.

Unless there is free and fair competition, there can't be healthy economic development. And what we have in Burma now is not an open-market economy that allows free and fair competition, but a form of colonialism makes a few people very, very wealthy. It's what you would crony capitalism.

We achieve everything by our efforts alone. Our fate is not decided by an almighty God. We decide our own fate by our actions. You have to gain mystery over yourself. It is not a matter of sitting back and accepting.