A lot of the roads, bridges, railways, and such are built through the use of forced labor, and that is causing the people great suffering. What we put into this in the form of human suffering is not worth what comes out of it.

A revolution simply means great change, significant change, and that's how I'm defining it - great change for the better, brought about through non-violent means.

We cannot be caught in the bond of suspicion. We have to carry out what we should be doing with a firm determination.

The only real prison is fear, and the only real freedom is freedom from fear

It is often in the name of cultural integrity as well as social stability and national security that democratic reforms based on human rights are resisted by authoritarian governments.

It is essential to institute a legal framework that would ensure justice and improve the quality of life in Burma immediately, because the greatest suffering among the people at the moment is caused by lack of justice and lack of the rule of law.

I could listen to the radio and I had access to books from time to time. Not all the time.