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Is this you, or is something wrong?

LY

Lee Kuan Yew

Prime Minister of Singapore, 1959–1990; Senior Minister 1990–2004; Minister Mentor 2004–2011

Singapore · 1923–2015

Served as the first Prime Minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990, and remained in cabinet as Senior Minister and later Minister Mentor until 2011. Co-founded the People's Action Party in 1954.

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What advice would you give your twenty-year-old self, and what should they ignore?
The sky has turned brighter. There is a glorious rainbow that beckons those with the spirit of adventure. And there are rich findings at the end of that rainbow. To the young and the not too old, I say, look at the horizon, find that rainbow, go ride it. Not all will be rich; quite a few will find a vein of gold; but all who pursue that rainbow will have a joyous and exhilarating ride and some profit.

Recorded Singapore Press Club (title proposed by the Club), Singapore Press Club, Petir (People's Action Party), reproducing the speech in full, 7 June 1996 source

What is something everyone in your world agrees about that you think is wrong?
Our young should prepare to seek their fortunes in this golden age. It is silly to moan that properties and cars are going out of their reach. They will never be out of reach of those who seize their opportunities. Of course those on profit sharing schemes and stock options will do better than those on salaries. But even those on salaries will have their salaries double in the next 10 years of high growth. The big winners will be those who find a vein of gold and dig it out. But you have to work to find it and dig it out. Those who bemuse and befuddle themselves into believing the great opportunities are already behind them will regret it when they see their more discerning and perceptive contemporaries prosper.

Recorded Singapore Press Club, Petir (People's Action Party), reproducing the speech in full, 7 June 1996 source

What is the part of your job that people would be surprised is most of your job?
Having found suitable men, our next problem was to keep them and nurture them until they were ready. To do that I had to give them work of significance to do, and not treat them as apprentices. As I allotted them important tasks, some of the old guard became apprehensive for their own positions. They saw no reason why these bright, young, energetic men who had not contributed to the struggle, should come in and displace them before they were ready to go.

Recorded Singapore Press Club, Petir (People's Action Party), reproducing the speech in full, 7 June 1996 source

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