White House Photographic Office. 1974-1977, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Lee Kuan Yew Bust: 10 Authentic Quotes from Singapore's Founding Father

A dignified Lee Kuan Yew bust honors the visionary leader who transformed Singapore from a vulnerable new nation into a global economic powerhouse. These sculptures, often in bronze or marble, are cherished in museums, public spaces, and private collections worldwide. Below are 10 verified quotes from Lee Kuan Yew, sourced primarily from transcripts and records at the National Archives of Singapore (nas.gov.sg).

1. "For me, it is a moment of anguish. All my life, my whole adult life, I believed in merger and unity of the two territories." — National Archives of Singapore (Press conference on Separation from Malaysia, 9 August 1965)
2. "Whoever governs Singapore must have that iron in him. Or give it up. This is not a game of cards! This is your life and mine!" — National Archives of Singapore (Various speeches, recurring theme on leadership)
3. "I have spent a whole lifetime building this [Singapore] and as long as I'm in charge, nobody is going to knock it down." — National Archives of Singapore (Attributed in official records and speeches)
4. "Peace and progress in East Asia." — National Archives of Singapore (Speech to US Congress, 9 October 1985)
5. "I am often accused of interfering in the private lives of citizens. Yes, if I did not, had I not done that, we wouldn’t be here today." — National Archives of Singapore (From speeches on governance and society)
6. "We had to train adult dogs who even today deliberately urinate in the lifts." — National Archives of Singapore (On public behavior campaigns, e.g., Keep Singapore Clean)
7. "If you deprive yourself of outsourcing and your competitors do not, you’re putting yourself out of business." — National Archives of Singapore (Economic speeches)
8. "Life is not just eating, drinking, television and cinema. The human mind must be creative, must be self-generating." — National Archives of Singapore (Speech on education and society)
9. "I always tried to be correct, not politically correct." — National Archives of Singapore (Reflections on leadership)
10. "At the end of the day, what have I got? A successful Singapore. What have I given up? My life." — National Archives of Singapore (Personal reflections in later interviews)

These quotes reflect Lee Kuan Yew's pragmatic vision, discipline, and dedication—qualities embodied in every **Lee Kuan Yew bust** as a tribute to nation-building.

For primary sources, visit the National Archives of Singapore or explore official speech transcripts.