I grew up middle class. My father was a public functionary who didn't leave an inheritance, just debts.

Business is a useful tool in politics, but it's not enough. You need much more than to be a good businessman, to be a good politician.

You will never solve the American problems just by printing money.

Economic and financial crisis are getting much more usual, and they are not confined to a given country but they immediately spread all over the world, and you have to be prepared for that.

Life is tough - and you have to be tougher than life to change the world.

I believe in a real democratic system, with a state of law and freedom of the press. I believe in a free, open-market economy integrated with the world. And I believe in equality of opportunity. Those are my basic beliefs. On top of that, of course, I believe in some moral values.

Chile isn't the biggest, richest or most powerful country in the world, but we should dedicate ourselves to transforming it into the best country in the world. We don't have a single minute to lose.