Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.

I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.

It is only in the human race that females beautify themselves to attract males. Among all the other living beings, it is the other way around.

Intervention only works when the people concerned seem to be keen for peace.

One thing I want to make clear, as far as my own rebirth is concerned, the final authority is myself and no one else, and obviously not China's Communists.

I have friends in overalls whose friendship I would not sleep for the favor of the kings of the world.

The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.

When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat.

I became the Dalai Lama not on a voluntary basis.

For one swallow does not make a summer, nor does one day; and so too one day, or a short time, does not make a man blessed and happy.

Our judgments when we are pleased and friendly are not the same as when we are pained and hostile.

The last moment is past; this moment is present; and, the next moment will be future. The past, present, and future change with every tick of the clock.