The best way to help Burma is to empower the people of Burma, to help us have enough self-confidence to obtain what we want for ourselves.

I am not unaware of the saying that more tears have been shed over wishes granted than wishes denied.

I haven't heard any music on the BBC World Service in a long time. Maybe I'm listening at the wrong times. But not one single piece of music.

In general people feel more relaxed about participating in politics. They aren't frightened as they used to be.

The act of willingly subtracting from one's own limited store of the good and the agreeable for the sake of adding to that of others reflects the understanding that individual happiness needs a base broader than the mere satisfaction of selfish passions. From there, it is not such a large step to the realization that respecting the susceptibilities and rights of others is as important as defending one's own susceptibilities and rights if civilized society is to be safeguarded.

I don't believe in professional dissidents. I think it's just a phase, like adolescence.

The best way to help Burma is to empower the people of Burma, to help us have enough self-confidence to obtain what we want for ourselves.