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Democracy consists of choosing your dictators, after they've told you what you think it is you want to hear.

The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is that in a democracy you vote first and take orders later; in a dictatorship you don't have to waste your time voting.

The transition from dictatorship to democracy is always very difficult, and if you read a history of any country that went through this, it wasn't easy. And, you know, you don't end dictatorship one day and next day you have fully fledged democracy.

Sometimes it's better to have a benign dictator than a dumb democracy, to be honest.

I don't want to be a dictator, because it is contrary to my own conscience. I am a democrat, but I don't desire democratic liberalism. On the contrary, I want a guided democracy... I have a conception of my own, which I will put at the disposal of the party leaders if required.

I'm a leader, not a dictator. I want to persuade people rather than threaten or control them.

I've always tried to explain democracy is not perfect. But it gives you a chance to shape your own destiny.

You can't become a dictator through checks and balances.

Democracy doesn't require a whole lot of work of its citizens, but it requires some: It requires taking a good look outside once in a while, and considering the bad news and what it might mean, and making the occasional tough choice, and soberly taking stock of what your real interests are.

I believe in benevolent dictatorship provided I am the dictator.