I was a very shy girl who led an insulated life; it was only when I came to Oxford, and to Harvard before that, that suddenly I saw the power of people. I didn't know such a power existed, I saw people criticising their own president; you couldn't do that in Pakistan - you'd be thrown in prison.

Benazir Bhutto

Categorized in : People Oxford Girl

You can imprison a man, but not an idea. You can exile a man, but not an idea.

Benazir Bhutto

freedom inspiring inspirational

Being nice should never be perceived as being weak. It's not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of courtesy, manners, grace, a woman's ability to make everyone...feel at home, and it should never be construed as weakness.

Benazir Bhutto

nice grace home

Freedom is not an end. Freedom is a beginning.

Benazir Bhutto

democracy ends

Ultimately, leadership is about the strength of one's convictions, the ability to endure the punches, and the energy to promote an idea. And I have found that those who do achieve peace never acquiesce to obstacles, especially those constructed of bigotry, intolerance, and inflexible tradition.

Benazir Bhutto

obstacles energy ideas

Clearly it's not easy for woman in modern society, no matter where we live. We still have to go extra mile to prove that we are equal to men. We have to work longer hours and make more sacrifices. And we must emotionally protect ourselves from unfair, often vicious attacks made on us.

Benazir Bhutto

sacrifice matter men

I dream ...of a world where we can commit our social resources to the development of human life and not to its destruction

Benazir Bhutto

pro-life development dream

Democracy needs support and the best support for democracy comes from other democracies. Democratic nations should come together in an association designed to help each other and promote what is a universal value - democracy.

Benazir Bhutto

democracies-have helping-others teamwork

The next decade cannot be a decade of confrontation and contention. It cannot be east vs. West. It cannot be men vs. women. It cannot be Islam vs. Christianity. That is what the enemies of dialogue want.

Benazir Bhutto

unity men enemy

In distinguishing between Islamic teachings and social taboos, we must remember that Islam forbids injustice; Injustice against people, against nations, against women. It shuns race, color, and gender as a basis of distinction amongst fellowmen. It enshrines piety as the sole criteria for judging humankind.

Benazir Bhutto

islamic race teaching

A people inspired by democracy, human rights and economic opportunity will turn their back decisively against extremism.

Benazir Bhutto

rights opportunity people

To make peace, one must be an uncompromising leader. To make peace, one must also embody compromise.

Benazir Bhutto

empowering women leader

Bhutto represents everything the fundamentalists hate - a powerful, highly-educated woman operating in a man's world, seemingly unafraid to voice her independent views and, indeed, seemingly unafraid of anything, including the very real possibility that one day someone might succeed in killing her because of who she is.

Benazir Bhutto

powerful hate real

My father always would say, "My daughter will go into politics? My daughter will become prime minister", but it's not what I wanted to do. I would say, "No, Papa, I will never go into politics." As I've said before, this is not the life I chose; it chose me ... But I accepted the responsibility and I've never wavered in my commitment.

Benazir Bhutto

daughter life father

Purusing peace means rising above one's own wants, needs, and emotions.

Benazir Bhutto

peace mean needs

The best hijab is in the eyes of the beholder.

Benazir Bhutto

beholder hijab eye

All our problems, all our disputes, all our disagreements can be resolved quickly to mutual satisfaction if we address the question.

Benazir Bhutto

addresses problem satisfaction

It's quite difficult for me not to be able to return to my country, but in my country justice has been murdered.

Benazir Bhutto

able justice country

The people who resent me do so because I'm a woman, I'm young, and I'm a Bhutto. Well, the simple answer is, it doesn't matter that I'm a woman, it doesn't matter that I'm young, and it's a matter of pride that I'm a Bhutto.

Benazir Bhutto

pride simple people

What is not recorded is not remembered.

Benazir Bhutto

remembered history

Political dictatorship and social hopelessness create the desperation that fuels religious extremism.

Benazir Bhutto

political religious religion