Most Inspiring 100 Aung San Suu Kyi Quotes From The Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Her endless yet peaceful struggle to bring democracy to her country has earned Aung San Suu Kyi the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991.

Born on 19 June 1945 in Burma, which is now known as Myanmar, Suu Kyi's father was the original Prime Minister of Burma. He was assassinated when Suu Kyi was still a baby. Young Suu Kyi did her schooling in India as her mother was then the Ambassador to India.

She graduated from Oxford University, and returned back to Burma in 1988 to take care of her mother's health. When Burma was under Ne Win's dictatorship, Suu Kyi witnessed firsthand the atrocities perpetrated against protestors.

Unable to stand by watching them struggle, Suu Kyi began to voice against the dictator garnering wide support from Burma's people. This resulted in her being put under house arrest in the year 1989.

After years of fighting and being arrested multiple times, in 2010, Suu Kyi's party won the election, which was conducted after two decades. In 2016, Myanmar appointed Suu Kyi's political adviser, Htin Kyaw, as the President.

Here are some of the most powerful quotes by Aung San Suu Kyi, which inspired many around the world, and once done, do check out [W.E.B. Dubois quotes] and Civil Rights quotes.

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Aung San Suu Kyi Inspirational Quotes

Quotes by Aung San Suu inspire you to do the right thing in life.

1. "All repressive laws must be revoked, and laws introduced to protect the rights of the people."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

2. "Human beings want to be free.'"

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

3. "It is not power that corrupts but fear."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

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

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

5. "No, I was never afraid."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

6. "One prisoner of conscience is one too many."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

7. "Security, freedom, dignity, if we had these three we could say that it has been worth while being born into this world."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

8. "Confidence-building is not something that can go on forever. If it goes on forever then it becomes counterproductive."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

9. "Human beings the world over need freedom and security that they may be able to realize their full potential."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

10. "One person alone can't do anything as important as bringing genuine democracy to a country."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

11. " Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

12. "You should never let your fears prevent you from doing what you know is right."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

13. "We all have to be responsible for ourselves."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

14. "I accept the concept that respect for yourself must be the foundation of respect for others."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

15. "I have never claimed that democracy was a perfect system because we human beings are not perfect."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

16. "Each man has in him the potential to realize the truth through his own will and endeavour and to help others to realize it."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

17. "I think that freedom is sometimes a state of mind."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

18. "Freedom and democracy are dreams you never give up."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

19. "I've always thought that the best solution for those who feel helpless is for them to help others."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

20. "Peace as a goal is an ideal which will not be contested by any government or nation, not even the most belligerent."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

Aung San Suu Kyi Freedom From Fear Quotes

Here are Aung Sun Suu Kyi Speech quotes from her definitive speech 'Freedom From Fear'.

21. "Even under the most crushing state machinery courage rises up again and again, for fear is not the natural state of civilized man."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

22. "Among the basic freedoms to which men aspire that their lives might be full and uncramped, freedom from fear stands out as both a means and an end."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

23. "The armed forces are meant for this nation and this people, and it should be such a force having the honour and respect of the people."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

24. "Within a system which denies the existence of basic human rights, fear tends to be the order of the day. Fear of imprisonment, fear of torture, fear of death, fear of losing friends, family...livelihood, fear of poverty, fear of isolation, fear of failure."

-Aung San Suu Kyi. 2

25. "Free men are the oppressed who go on trying and who in the process make themselves fit to bear the responsibilities and to uphold the disciplines which will maintain a free society."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

26. "Just laws do not merely prevent corruption by meting out impartial punishment to offenders."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

27. "The search for scapegoats is essentially an abnegation of responsibility."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

28. "Concepts such as truth, justice and compassion cannot be dismissed as trite when these are often the only bulwarks which stand against ruthless power."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

29. "If we want democracy, we need to show courage. By this I don’t mean the courage to cause trouble."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

30. "It is not easy for a people conditioned by fear under the iron rule of the principle that might is right to free themselves from the enervating miasma of fear."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

31. " The quintessential revolution is that of the spirit."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

32. "Each and every one of you must make sacrifices to become a hero possessed of courage and intrepidity. Then only shall we all be able to enjoy true freedom."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

33. "The people of Burma had wearied of a precarious state of passive apprehension where they were 'as water in the cupped hands' of the powers that be."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

34. "While there is wisdom in refraining from implementing change merely for the sake of change, clinging to old ways solely for the sake of their antiquity is obviously equally futile."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

35. " Just laws do not merely prevent corruption by meting out impartial punishment to offenders."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

36. "The dream of a society ruled by loving-kindness, reason, and justice is a dream as old as civilized man."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

37. "By courage I mean the courage to do what one knows is right, even if one is afraid."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

38. "It is not enough merely to provide the poor with material assistance. They have to be sufficiently empowered to change their perception of themselves as helpless and ineffectual in an uncaring world."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

39. "A most insidious form of fear is that which masquerades as common sense or even wisdom, condemning as foolish, reckless, insignificant or futile the small, daily acts of courage which help to preserve man's self-respect and inherent human dignity."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

40. "  Without forgiveness, there can be no future."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

Suu Kyi Quotes About Imprisonment

Suu Kyi House arrest quotes will show you to not break apart even in tough times.

41. "I think, if you have enough inner resources, then you can live in isolation for long periods of time and not feel diminished by it."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

42. "The first six years I was kept totally alone."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

43. "No, I was never afraid."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

44. "I have been free for more than a month. Some people may think that that is long enough. Others may think that that is not quite long enough."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

45. "I think, if you have enough inner resources, then you can live in isolation for long periods of time and not feel diminished by it."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

46.  "It is not enough to sit and hope. You have to work in order to realize your hopes."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

47. "The only real prison is fear, and the only real freedom is freedom from fear."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

48. "I've never thought that what they did to me was personal anyway. It is politics."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

49. "The last six years afforded me much time and food for thought."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

50. "My attitude is, do as much as I can while I'm free. And if I'm arrested I'll still do as much as I can."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

Quotes From The NGO Forum On Women Address

This Aung San Suu Kyi speech transcript includes quotes from the NGO forum on women, Beijing, China.

51. "To the best of my knowledge, no war was ever started by women."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

52. "It is not the prerogative of men alone to bring light to this world."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

53. "In societies where men are truly confident of their own worth women are not merely 'tolerated', they are valued."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

54. "Psychological research has shown on the other hand that disinformation engendered by men has far more damaging effect on its victims than feminine gossip."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

55. "The education and empowerment of women throughout the world cannot fail to result in a more caring, tolerant, just and peaceful life for all."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

56. "Insecure people tend to be intolerant."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

57. "It is not enough simply to 'live and let live'".

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

58. "Often the other side of the coin of intolerance is insecurity."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

59. "And the intelligent rooster surely realizes that it is because dawn comes that it crows and not the other way round."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

60. "It is women and children who have always suffered most in situations of conflict."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

Suu Kyi Motivational Quotes

Quotes by Suu Kyi to lift your spirits up no matter what you do in life.

61. "Kindness can change the lives of people."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

62. "I think sometimes if you are alone, you are freer because your time is your own."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

63. "I always say that one has no right to hope without endeavour."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

64. "There is a time to be quiet and a time to talk."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

65. "There is nothing to be gained by being unnecessarily nasty."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

66. "We have to choose between dialogue and utter devastation."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

67. "Perhaps I'm just rather flexible and adaptable."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

68. "Every thought, every word, and every action that adds to the positive and the wholesome is a contribution to peace."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

69. "I’ve made no sacrifices, I’ve made choices."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

70. "All right, your knees may be knocking but that shouldn't prevent you from going ahead and doing what you need to do."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

71. "My top priority is for people to understand that they have the power to change things themselves."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

72. "The good ruler sublimates his needs as an individual to the service of the nation."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

73. "I don't think of myself as unbreakable."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

74. "One should mature over 20 years."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

75. "Violence begets violence."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

76. "It is his capacity for self-improvement and self-redemption which most distinguishes man from the mere brute."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

77. "Sometimes, 24 hours can bring a total revolutionary change."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

78. "Challenges mean opportunities as well."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

79. "If you give in to intimidation, you'll go on being intimidated."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

80. "To be kind is to respond with sensitivity and human warmth to the hopes and needs of others."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

Famous Quotes By Suu Kyi

Notable quotes by Suu Kyi for the activist in you.

81. "To be forgotten, is to die a little."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

82. "To oppress the opposition is to assault the very foundation of democracy."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

83. "I don't want Burma to be a basket case forever."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

84. "War is not the only arena where peace is done to death."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

85. "Where there is no justice there can be no secure peace."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

86. "We will not change in matters of policy until such time as dialogue has begun."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

87. "I felt that it was my duty not to senselessly waste my time."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

88. "It is amazing how many people still remain convinced that it is wise to accept the status quo."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

89. "We always think that everybody can do a little bit more, if not a lot more."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

90. "Humor is one of the best ingredients of survival."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

91. "Please use your liberty to promote ours."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

92. "The root of a nation's misfortunes has to be sought in the moral failings of the government."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

93. "We must all work together if we are all to live together in unity and harmony."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

94. "'Why' is one of the most important words in any language."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

95. "We will surely get to our destination if we join hands."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

96. "There is so much that we need to do for our country. I don't think that we can afford to wait."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

97. "The peace of our world is indivisible."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

98. "It is the values that count most of all."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

99. "I worry that even those who want to reform are not quite sure how to go about it."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

100. "Democracy is when the people keep a government in check."

-Aung San Suu Kyi.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Aung Sun Suu Kyi quotes, then take a look at [activism quotes], or Stokely Carmichael quotes.

Editorial credit: PradeepGaurs / Shutterstock.com

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