Josef Fung

“One fundamental difference between American and Oriental culture is the individual’s position in society. In American culture an individual’s interest is primary. This makes American society more aggressively competitive, with a sharper edge and higher performance. In Singapore, the interests of the society take precedence over that of the individual. Nevertheless Singapore has to be competitive in the market for jobs, goods and services. On the other hand the government helps lower income groups to meet their needs for housing, health services and education so that their children will have more of an equal chance to rise through education.”
― Kuan Yew Lee, The Wit and Wisdom of Lee Kuan Yew

“But it is possible to create a society in which everybody is given not equal rewards, but equal opportunities, and where rewards vary not in accordance with the ownership of property, but with the worth of a person's contribution to that society. In other words, society should make it worth people's while to give their best to the country. This is the way to progress.”
― Lee Kuan Yew

“Start with putting three of your friends to jail. You definitely know what for, and people will believe you”
― Lee Kuan Yew, From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965-2000

“Human beings are created unequal, and no amount of social engineering or government intervention can significantly alter one’s lot in life. At most, government policies can help equalise opportunity at the starting point, but they cannot ensure equal outcomes. Society is bound to end up with unequal outcomes”
― Lee Kuan Yew, Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going