Corazon Aquino quotes:

Freedom of expression - in particular, freedom of the press - guarantees popular participation in the decisions and actions of government, and popular participation is the essence of our democracy.

It is true you cannot eat freedom and you cannot power machinery with democracy. But then neither can political prisoners turn on the light in the cells of a dictatorship.

The media's power is frail. Without the people's support, it can be shut off with the ease of turning a light switch.

I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life.

Reconciliation should be accompanied by justice, otherwise it will not last. While we all hope for peace it shouldn't be peace at any cost but peace based on principle, on justice.

National leaders who find themselves wilting under the withering criticisms by members of the media, would do well not to take such criticism personally but to regard the media as their allies in keeping the government clean and honest, its services.

Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things - with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing, serene hope.

I am not embarrassed to tell you that I believe in miracles.

It wasn't until we got over the self pity that we were able to accept suffering as apart of our life with Christ. A man or woman reaches this plane only when he or she ceases to be the hero.

I've reached a point in life where it's no longer necessary to try to impress. If they like me the way I am, that's good. If they don't, that's too bad.

I don't have any formula for ousting a dictator or building democracy. All I can suggest is to forget about yourself and just think of your people. It's always the people who make things happen.

National leaders who find themselves wilting under the withering criticisms by members of the media, would do well not to take such criticism personally but to regard the media as their allies in keeping the government clean and honest, its services

I acknowledged that I owed my presidency to People Power. I resolved during my presidency that I would in turn empower the people.

All the world wondered as they witnessed... a people lift themselves from humiliation to the greatest pride.

You, the foreign media, have been the companion of my people in its long and painful journey to freedom.

Keep inviolate an area of light and peace within you.

The nation was awakened by that deafening shot.

It is not I who have been consigned to the bedroom of history....

I believe that during these times, we should not forget that many sacrificed to regain our democracy. We cannot just keep quiet because that is what happened during martial law. Our dictator then believed that he can do anything to keep himself in power.

I guess my religious faith sustained me more than anything else. Family is also very important. If I didn't have children, it would have been too difficult. Even if you are strong, you still need people who would support you all the way.

One must be frank to be relevant.

It's very simple, I just tell my sad story, and people weep.

You have spent many lives and much treasure to bring freedom to many lands that were reluctant to receive it. And here you have a people who won it by themselves and need only the help to preserve it.

There is much that women can bring into politics that would make our world a kinder, gentler place for humanity to thrive in.

When you restore democracy, you cannot say that only those who worked for the restoration of democracy will be allowed to use the privileges of a democracy.

As I came to power peacefully, so shall I keep it.

The government cannot do everything all at once. It can't wave a magic wand and meet everyone's demands simultaneously ...

I am not an icon of democracy. You are all, collectively, the icon of democracy.

I believe that during these times, we should not forget that many sacrificed to regain our democracy.

It's not just in politics that you can be a servant of the people, you can do it in so many other ways.

As our country bled . . . its leader's wife came to this podium piously to call for a new human order, this when thousands of Filipinos were political prisoners.

I was very privileged and really blessed with so many material and spiritual gifts that I should give back, ... I should do something for my people, but ... it's not just in politics that you can be a servant of the people, you can do it in so many other ways.

My biggest disappointment was, of course, the coup attempts, ... The economy was proceeding very well, but in 1989 we had the most serious coup attempt and ... many of the investors who were set to come here had to tell me that they chose to go to other countries because of the uncertainty brought about by (the coup attempt.) If that had not happened, I'm sure our economy would just be booming today ...

I know there isn't anything I can do that will please everybody. But if I have done according to my beliefs, I sleep very very well.

I just do whatever it is that I believe I should do, regardless of the risks to my life.

I know my limitations, and I don't like politics. I was only involved because of my husband.

Let's continue to pray for each other and ask the Lord to bring us closer to each other. He (God) will bring us not only 79 votes, but more than 79 (votes),

I would like to ask the many Filipino people to pray together, to help each other so that we will be able to preserve the democracy we restored 20 years ago.

The politicians think that I have not included enough of them; the nonpoliticians think that I have gone back to the old ways; and the mass public groups think I have forgotten them.

I salute the 51 congressmen who voted (for the impeachment complaints.) It's not over yet. There will always be hope.

The only thing I can really offer the Filipino people is my sincerity.