If it is not totalitarian to arrest a man and detain him, when you cannot charge him with any offence against any written law โ if that is not what we have always cried out against in Fascist states โ then what is it?โฆ If we are to survive as a free democracy, then we must be prepared, in principle, to concede to our enemies โ even those who do not subscribe to our views โ as much constitutional rights as you concede yourself.
Lee Kuan YewLife is not just eating, drinking, television and cinema...The human mind must be creative, must be self-generating ; it cannot depend on just gadgets to amuse itself.
Lee Kuan YewThree women were brought to the Singapore General Hospital, each in the same condition and needing a blood transfusion. The first, a Southeast Asian was given the transfusion but died a few hours later. The second, a South Asian was also given a transfusion but died a few days later. The third, an East Asian, was given a transfusion and survived. That is the X factor in development.
Lee Kuan YewIf there was one formula for our success,it was that we were constantly studying how to make things work,or how to make them work better.
Lee Kuan YewThey say people can think for themselves? Do you honestly believe that the chap who canโt pass primary six knows the consequence of his choice when he answers a question viscerally, on language, culture and religion? But we knew the consequences. We would starve, we would have race riots. We would disintegrate.
Lee Kuan YewWith few exceptions, democracy has not brought good government to new developing countries. What Asians value may not necessarily be what Americans or Europeans value. Westerners value the freedoms and liberties of the individual. As an Asian of Chinese cultural backround, my values are for a government which is honest, effective and efficient.
Lee Kuan Yew