I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances.

I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.

After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.

Running taught me valuable lessons. In cross-country competition, training counted more than intrinsic ability, and I could compensate for a lack of natural aptitude with diligence and discipline. I applied this in everything I did.

One of the most difficult things is not to change society - but to change yourself.

I learned that to humiliate another person is to make him suffer an unnecessarily cruel fate. Even as a boy, I defeated my opponents without dishonoring them.

We can build a society grounded on friendship and our common humanity - a society founded on tolerance. That is the only road open to us.