We want to empower our people; we want to strengthen them; we want to provide them with the kind of qualifications that will enable them to build up their own country themselves.
When we think of the state of the economy, we are not thinking in terms of money flow. We are thinking in terms of the effect on everyday lives of people.
My attitude to peace is rather based on the Burmese definition of peace - it really means removing all the negative factors that destroy peace in this world. So peace does not mean just putting an end to violence or to war, but to all other factors that threaten peace, such as discrimination, such as inequality, poverty.
Fires of suffering and strife are raging around the world.
Maybe it is something to do with age, but I have become fonder of poetry than of prose.
I think sometimes if you are alone, you are freer because your time is your own.
Human beings the world over need freedom and security that they may be able to realize their full potential.
My opinion is the greatest reward that any government could get is the approval of the people. If the people are happy and the people are at peace and the government has done something for them, that's the greatest reward I think any government could hope for.
I am prepared to talk with anyone. I have no personal grudge toward anybody.
Burmese authors and artists can play the role that artists everywhere play. They help to mold the outlook of a society - not the whole outlook, and they are not the only ones to mold the outlook of society, but they have an important role to play there.
The judiciary must be strengthened and released from political interference.
Once serious political dialogue has begun, the international community can assume that we have achieved genuine progress along the road to real democratisation.
Whatever help we may want from the international community now or in the future, we want to make sure that this help is tailored to help our people to help themselves.
Human beings want to be free and however long they may agree to stay locked up, to stay oppressed, there will come a time when they say 'That's it.' Suddenly they find themselves doing something that they never would have thought they would be doing, simply because of the human instinct that makes them turn their face towards freedom.
If you want to bring an end to long-standing conflict, you have to be prepared to compromise.
It doesn't seem right for anybody to get so much attention.
Freedom and democracy are dreams you never give up.
The Nobel Peace Prize opened up a door in my heart.
In general people feel more relaxed about participating in politics. They aren't frightened as they used to be.
What I have experienced is nothing compared to what political prisoners in prisons suffer.
