Ai Weiwei Quotes

In the end, I think, the state’s rigidity is a function of its own insecurity, its indecisiveness.

When human beings are scared and feel everything is exposed to the government, we will censor ourselves from free thinking. That’s dangerous for human development.

In a society like this there is no negotiation, no discussion, except to tell you that power can crush you any time they want — not only you, your whole family and all people like you.

After I came back [to China], there was still a long period of time when I felt I had nothing to do.

They lack any ability to sense what is beautiful or what is proper. They can be learned and skillful, but they lack the ability to make their own free judgment. It is really sad to see young adults of 20, 25 years who were never taught to make their own decisions.

[Cultural departments] don’t care about culture. Maybe they’re the furthest from the people who understand culture.

I think by not letting young people be fully informed, how can they have energy and passion and the right picture of the world? I think that’s the true crime.

Overturning police cars is a super-intense workout. It’s probably the only sport I enjoy.

Everything is selected by the central government without good judgment or an understanding of culture to make it really safe. They will become nobody to maintain their power and be raised to the next higher level.

Whenever there is injustice, there is tension. But in China it is very hard to release your anger unless you burn yourself or you jump from a bridge. In a society where there is no freedom of the press, it is difficult for victims to be noticed.