The basis of democratic freedom is freedom of speech.

Calamities that are not the result of purely natural phenomena usually have their origins, distant and obscure though they may be, in common human failings.

I don't understand why people say that I am full of courage. I feel terribly nervous.

Burmese political culture lacks an understanding of negotiated compromise. We have to build up that kind of culture.

Foreign investors will not come and do things without any returns for themselves. And we don't expect them to come work for us free. But the local population should benefit rightfully. The locals should benefit just a little more than the companies.

The main aim of the [political] dialogue should be to resolve the problems of the nation, not to find who is the winner and who is the loser. That's not what it's all about. It's to try and find an answer that is acceptable to all parties concerned, which would of course require some give and take.

Fundamental violations of human rights always lead to people feeling less and less human.