Lech Walesa (written "Lech WaÅ?Ä?sa" in Polish and pronounced "Lek Vah-WEHN-sah") rose to fame when Poland was still under communist rule. He co-founded the Solidarity trade union and helped bring about the downfall of communism in Poland. For his efforts, he was awarded both a Nobel Peace Prize and served as president of Poland from 1990 to 1995.
Walesa is less well-known for his witticisms (gaffes?). He has been known to drop Yogi Berra-like pearls of wisdom, leaving his audience rather puzzled, wondering if what he said was meant to be a joke.
Last month, at a gathering of Nobel laureates, he pleaded for the creation of a "secular Ten Commandments":
We need to agree on common values for all religions as soon as possible, a kind of secular Ten Commandments on which we will build the world of tomorrow.
The devout Catholic failed to elaborate.
In regard to homosexuality, Walesa once said:
Imagine if all people were like that. We wouldn't have any descendants.
And in 2013, in regard to gays serving in Parliament, he added:
Homosexuals should even sit behind a wall, and not somewhere at the front.
Walesa also has a unique insight on innovation:
I'm lazy. But it's the lazy people who invented the wheel and the bicycle because they didn't like walking or carrying things.
And finally, on his role in Polish politics:
The country needs political balance; the government is its left leg, the parliament is its right leg and I am in between.
Yogi Berra has some competition.
