A biography for Lech Walesahasn’t been written yet.
“The sole and basic source of our strength is the solidarity of workers, peasants and the intelligentsia, the solidarity of the nation, the solidarity of people who seek to live in dignity, truth, and in harmony with their conscience.”
“As a nation we have the right to decide our own affairs, to mould our own future. This does not pose any danger to anybody. Our nation is fully aware of the responsibility for its own fate in the complicated situation of the contemporary world.”
“One could always do more, faster and cleverer, but democracy has its own rhythm.”
“Obviously people want social calm, but if you do not let clever and ingenious people to participate, obviously there must be some dormant volcano that will erupt, sooner or later.”
“I decided to get to know my opponents and their arguments.”
“I am no politician.”
“After the war, Germany fully confessed to all its dirty tricks. It's necessary to is draw a line under the past, even if people did something evil. Until we do, wounds won't heal.”
“I use many different gadgets connected with computers; I use PCs, laptops and a Palm Pilot. I also use the Internet to visit websites, especially within Polish-language Internet. I usually go to political discussion groups and sites - of course, as I use my real name, people never believe that they are chatting with me!”
“In myself I am nothing. It all comes from God and the Virgin Mary.”
“This conviction brought me, in the summer of 1978, to the Free Trade Unions - formed by a group of courageous and dedicated people who came out in the defense of the workers' rights and dignity.”
“The thing that lies at the foundation of positive change, the way I see it, is service to a fellow human being.”
“I will talk and act, not on my knees, but with prudence.”
“People are most important.”
“I allowed myself to be taken in by the intellectuals. I believed too much in the Polish intellectuals and followed their advice.”
“I have more than 100 honorary Ph.D.s.”
“When I was fighting communism, there was rapid development of satellite television and cell phones, and communism, to survive, would have to block all these information devices.”
“People always ask me, 'Lech, aren't you afraid of being killed?' And as an answer I shrug my shoulders.”
“Communism in Cuba will collapse sooner or later because you can't control the free flow of information. Communism prevents organizations from developing by stopping the flow of information. The system is based on police and listening devices and triggers the worst characteristics in humans.”
“I must tell you that the supply of words on the world market is plentiful, but the demand is falling.”
“Capitalism is in crisis.”