Turkmenistan's Saparmurat Niyazov

The main reason for the appearance of the 'Ruhnama' is that it is a book written by a Turkmen for the Turkmen people, a spiritual guide for the people.

If I am to choose between a television and a book, I will take the book.

I can assure you that I am not a dictator. I am a democrat.

Anyone who reads 'Ruhnama' three times will become smarter, understand nature, and then will go straight to heaven.

We banned opera, ballet, and the circus because they are not part of Turkmen culture. I don't understand them. Why do we need them?

I am not rich. I am not greedy. I am a simple person.

I changed the names of the months and days of the week because the old ones were foreign. Now they are Turkmen.

I want to be remembered as a simple man who helped his people.

Turkmenistan is a neutral country. We do not participate in any blocs or alliances.

I am a spiritual leader, not just a president.

If a person works well for nine years, he will not die. I am not saying that he will live forever, but he will live longer.

I wish that all Turkmen people would be able to read my book.

We need to build a new golden age for Turkmenistan.

I have created a special fund for the construction of a new mosque in every district.

The 'Ruhnama' is a holy book. It is the spiritual code of the Turkmen nation.

I am not against the internet, but I want to control what my people see.

We must protect our national identity from foreign influences.

I have built many fountains in Ashgabat. Water is life.

My book will always be with the Turkmen people.

I am a great admirer of my mother. She taught me everything.