One person alone can't do anything as important as bringing genuine democracy to a country.

When the Nobel Committee chose to honor me, the road I had chosen of my own free will became a less lonely path to follow.

We're nowhere near democracy. I've been released, that's all.

Every kindness I received, small or big, convinced me that there could never be enough of it in our world... Kindness can change the lives of people.

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

People ask me about what sacrifices I've made. I always answer: I've made no sacrifices, I've made choices.

I felt that it was my duty not to senselessly waste my time. And since I didn't want to waste my time, I tried to accomplish as much as possible.