Fearlessness may be a gift but perhaps more precious is the courage acquired through endeavour, courage that comes from cultivating the habit of refusing to let fear dictate one's actions, courage that could be described as 'grace under pressure' - grace which is renewed repeatedly in the face of harsh, unremitting pressure.

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

I think sometimes if you are alone, you are freer because your time is your own.

We want to empower our people; we want to strengthen them; we want to provide them with the kind of qualifications that will enable them to build up their own country themselves.

Humor is one of the best ingredients of survival.

I've never thought of myself as being particularly brave - I used to be frightened of the dark when I was small. And I'm not very good with dead rats and things like that. But I face what has to be faced and I hope as best as I'm able.

My attitude is, do as much as I can while I'm free. And if I'm arrested I'll still do as much as I can.