He laughed a lot, but as a boy he had been so self-conscious about being dark-skinned that he went to the fields to get buffalo milk to spread on his face, thinking it would make him lighter. It was only when he met my mother that he became comfortable in his own skin. Being loved by such a beautiful girl gave him confidence.

— Malala Yousafzai

His sisters -- my aunts -- did not go to school at all, just like millions of girls in my country. Education had been a great gift for him. He believed that lack of education was the root of all of Pakistan's problems. Ignorance allowed politicians to fool people and bad administrators to be re-elected. He believed schooling should be available for all, rich and poor, boys and girls. The school that my father dreamed of would have desks and a library, computers, bright posters on the walls and, most important, washrooms.

— Malala Yousafzai

Honor your daughters. They are honorable.

— Malala Yousafzai

I am convinced Socialism is the only answer and I urge all comrades to take this struggle to a victorious conclusion. Only this will free us from the chains of bigotry and exploitation.

— Malala Yousafzai

I believe in peace. I believe in mercy.

— Malala Yousafzai

I believe the gun has no power at all.

— Malala Yousafzai

I discovered Deborah Ellis's books in the school library after my head teacher encouraged me to go beyond the school curriculum and look for books I might enjoy.

— Malala Yousafzai

I distracted myself from the fear and terrorism by thinking about things like how the universe began and whether time travel is possible.

— Malala Yousafzai

I don't want revenge on the Taliban, I want education for sons and daughters of the Taliban.

— Malala Yousafzai

I dreamed of going to the top of Mount Elm like Alexander the Great to touch Jupiter and even beyond the valley. But, as I watched my brother running across the roof, flying their kites and skillfully flicking the strings back and forth to cut each other's down, I wondered hoe free a daughter could ever be.

— Malala Yousafzai