Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money-That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not!
Source: Education of a Wandering Man (1989), Ch. 1
Context: A great book begins with an idea; a great life, with a determination.
My life may not be great to others, but to me it has been one of steady progression, never dull, often exciting, often hungry, tired, and lonely, but always learning. Somewhere back down the years I decided, or my nature decided for me, that I would be a teller of stories.
Decisions had to be made and there was nobody but me to make them. My course altered a number of times but never deviated from the destination I had decided upon. Whether this was altogether a matter of choice I do not know. Perhaps my early reading and the storytelling at home had preconditioned me for the role I adopted.
Somewhere along the line I had fallen in love with learning, and it became a lifelong romance. Early on I discovered it was fun to follow along the byways of history to find those treasures that await any searcher. It may be that all later decisions followed naturally from that first one.
One thing has always been true: That book or that person who can give me an idea or a new slant on an old idea is my friend.
“Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away.”
2009, A New Beginning (June 2009)
Context: Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments - provided they govern with respect for all their people.
This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.
“Until you actually start making something, your brilliant idea is just that, an idea.”
Source: Rework
“We want to challenge the established ideas with new ideas.”
In his victory speech after winning the NDP leadership on the first ballot, Jan. 26, 2003.
“Happiness is a new idea in Europe.”
Le bonheur est une idée neuve en Europe.
Sur le mode d'exécution du décret contre les ennemis de la Révolution http://www.royet.org/nea1789-1794/archives/discours/stjust_decret_ennemis_revolution_03_03_94.htm, speech to the National Convention (March 3, 1794).
2011, Remarks on Egyptian protests (January 2011)
Context: When President Mubarak addressed the Egyptian people tonight, he pledged a better democracy and greater economic opportunity. I just spoke to him after his speech and I told him he has a responsibility to give meaning to those words, to take concrete steps and actions that deliver on that promise.
Violence will not address the grievances of the Egyptian people. And suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. What’s needed right now are concrete steps that advance the rights of the Egyptian people: a meaningful dialogue between the government and its citizens, and a path of political change that leads to a future of greater freedom and greater opportunity and justice for the Egyptian people.
As quoted in the Jakarta Globe http://www.jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/features/legendary-director-garin-nugroho-shares-insights-experiences-singapore-masterclass/, Singapore International Film Festival (March 12, 2017)
