Quotes from A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

The President's post should not be politicised. Once a president is elected, he is above politics.

Medical costs are of concern, both in developing and developed countries.

One of the more difficult tasks for me as president was to decide on the issue of confirming capital punishment awarded by courts... to my surprise... almost all cases which were pending had a social and economic bias.

A teacher should have a creative mind.

I was a disadvantaged child from a non-educated family, yet I had the advantage of being in the company of great teachers.

Never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place - that is, the unique you. Have an aim in life, continuously acquire knowledge, work hard, and have perseverance to realise the great life.

The bird is powered by its own life and by its motivation.

Wherever I go, as long as I get a hot vegetable dish, I am okay. If I am in Gujarat, I have Gujarati food. If it's Shillong, it's northeastern.

We have not invaded anyone. We have not conquered anyone. We have not grabbed their land, their culture, their history and tried to enforce our way of life on them.

There has to be a global mission of human progress.

If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.

Tell me, why is the media here so negative? Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognise our own strengths, our achievements? We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?

Widespread use of antibiotics promotes the spread of antibiotic resistance. Smart use of antibiotics is the key to controlling its spread.

My hair grows and grows; you cannot stop it - that fellow grows, it grows wild.

In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime.

Unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. In this world, fear has no place. Only strength respects strength.

Success is when your signature becomes an autograph.

Creativity is the key to success in the future, and primary education is where teachers can bring creativity in children at that level.

Don't read success stories, you will only get a message. Read failure stories, you will get some ideas to get success.

If we are not free, no one will respect us.

Where do the evils like corruption arise from? It comes from the never-ending greed. The fight for corruption-free ethical society will have to be fought against this greed and replace it with 'what can I give' spirit.

I was willing to accept what I couldn't change.

I firmly believe that unless one has tasted the bitter pill of failure, one cannot aspire enough for success.

For success of any mission, it is necessary to have creative leadership. Creative leadership is vital for government, non-governmental organisations as well as for industries.