Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva quotes

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is a Brazilian politician and former metalworker who served as President of Brazil. Widely recognized as a champion of social programs and economic growth, he played a key role in reducing poverty in the country. He continues to influence national and international politics as a prominent leftist leader. Here are 18 of his quotes:

Brazil is in a solid position. In the past, if the United States sneezed, we caught pneumonia. Today, if the United States sneezes, we sneeze too. (Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva)
A long time ago I learned not to put the blame for backwardness in Brazil on the US. We have to blame ourselves. Our backwardness is caused by an elite which for a century didn't think about the majority and subordinated itself to foreign interests. View quote
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
I am the son of an illiterate father and mother. View quote
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Look, my friend. I don't speak the language here, I've got no money, the food stinks, there's no rice, no beans. I'd rather be arrested in Brazil than stay in this dump of a country. View quote
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Brazil has rediscovered itself, and this rediscovery is being expressed in its people's enthusiasm and their desire to mobilize to face the huge problems that lie ahead of us. View quote
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
A war can perhaps be won single-handedly. But peace - lasting peace - cannot be secured without the support of all. View quote
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Everyone is innocent unless proven otherwise. View quote
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
My greatest desire is that the hope that has overcome fear in my country will help vanquish it around the world. View quote
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
I don't need arms, and neither does anyone else... At the very least, a ban would prevent fights from turning deadly. View quote
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
If there is something which I am proud, in this country, it is that there is no living soul more honest than me. Not even in the Federal Police, not even in the Public Ministry, not even in the Catholic Church, not even in the evangelical church. There may be just as equal, but I doubt it. View quote
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
The foundation is in place, and now we have to get to work. (Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva)
This is a crisis that was caused by people, white with blue eyes. And before the crisis they looked as if they knew everything about economics. View quote
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
From an ethical point of view the price difference is grotesque and from a political point of view, it represents a lack of respect, as though a sick Brazilian is inferior. View quote
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
If the US is the country that most contributes with greenhouse gases, in the world, it should assume more responsibility to reduce emissions. View quote
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
We've advanced in the construction of a true free-trade area across South America... What's needed now is less rhetoric and more action. View quote
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Free trade is very important if we respect equality among nations. View quote
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
I want to know if the people are in the shit and I want to take the people out of the shit in which they are. View quote
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
I want to know if the people are in the shit and I want to take the people out of the shit in which they are." – during a speech in São Luís, the capital of the Brazilian state of Maranhão. After recognizing he cursed, he stated: "Of course I cursed. Tomorrow, commentators of the major newspapers will say that Lula cursed, but I'm aware that they curse more than I do everyday, and I'm aware of how the poor people of this country live. View quote
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva