Q: What degree of inequality do you think is tolerable in a society? Do you worry about the emergence of class wars?

A:Put yourself in the position of running the government. And for 50 years I’ve tried to plough my way through. Didn’t succeed. You won’t convince me. Whether I convince you or not is irrelevant to me because I know these are the real facts. You’re not going to shift me. And if the ministers believe like you would, that all men are born equal, then they are going to waste a lot of time and money. Slowly they are coming round to my point of view.

Lee Kuan Yew, Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going