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Having lived through the transition from totalitarianism, I am acutely mindful of the need to never take for granted the basic freedoms of thought, expression and belief that democracy brings.

Daisaku Ikeda

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Daisaku Ikeda
Age: 96
Born: 1928
Born: January 2
Philosopher
Poet
President
Writer
City of Tokyo
Dazuo Chitian
Ta-tso Chʻih-tʻien
Belief
Freedoms
Thought
Transition
Need
Granted
Take
Basic
Needs
Brings
Never
Lived
Acutely
Expression
Totalitarianism
Democracy
Mindful

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Strength is itself victory.
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Human rights will be a powerful force for the transformation of reality when they are not simply understood as externally defined norms of behavior but are lived as the spontaneous manifestation of internalized values.
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Life is painful. It has thorns, like the stem of a rose. Culture and art are the roses that bloom on the stem. The flower is yourself, your humanity. Art is the liberation of the humanity inside yourself.
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We are not merely passive pawns of historical forces nor are we victims of the past. We can shape and direct history.
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But I think we need to remember that democracy everywhere is by its nature incomplete, a work in progress.
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Genuine sincerity opens people's hearts, while manipulation causes them to close.
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What is defeat in life? It is not merely making a mistake defeat means giving up on yourself in the midst of difficulty. What is true success in life? True success means winning in your battle with yourself. Those who persist in the pursuit of their dreams, no matter what the hurdles, are winners in life, for they have won over their weaknesses.
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Just as cherry, plum, peach and damson blossoms all possess their own unique qualities, each person is unique. We cannot become someone else. The important thing is that we live true to ourselves and cause the great flower of our lives to blossom.
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Nothing is more precious than peace. Peace is the most basic starting point for the advancement of humankind.
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Within the heart of every person exists the flame of wisdom that transforms all suffering into kindling for the fire of creative energy.
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Hope is life's greatest treasure. If you have no hope, create some!
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Hope transforms pessimism into optimism. Hope is invincible.
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When we have a genuine sense that, no matter how difficult our present circumstances, we are not alone-that we are vitally connected with others and with the world-we will, without fail, rise up to the challenge of living again.
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Let us join our efforts toward building the unshakable foundations for a culture of peace.
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No matter what our personal circumstances may be, if we ourselves become a source of light, then there will be no darkness in the world.
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Let us give something to each person we meet: joy, courage, hope, assurance, or philosophy, wisdom, a vision for the future. Let us always give something.
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There are some among the so-called elite who are overbearing and arrogant. I want to foster leaders, not elitists.
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Buhhdism is wisdom. As long as we have wisdom, we can put all things to the best use, we can turn everything in the direction of happiness.
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Great art is created only through diligent and painstaking effort to perfect and polish oneself.
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Faith is to fear nothing, to stand unswayed, the power to surmount any obstacle.
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