Thatcher Margaret Quotes & Sayings

I will not stagger from expedient to expedient. — Margaret Thatcher

I love argument, I love debate. I don't expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me, that's not their job. — Margaret Thatcher

If you set out to be liked, you will accomplish nothing. — Margaret Thatcher

If you lead a country like Britain, a strong country, a country which has taken a lead in world affairs in good times and in bad, a country that is always reliable, then you have to have a touch of iron about you. — Margaret Thatcher

SO NOW IT'S 1979. Year of the Goat. The Earth Goat. Here are some things you might remember. Margaret Thatcher had just been elected prime minister. Idi Amin had fled Uganda. Jimmy Carter would soon be facing the Iran hostage crisis. In the meantime, he was the first and last president ever to be attacked by a swamp rabbit. That man could not catch a break. — Karen Joy Fowler

Watching the Commons tribute to Margaret Thatcher was like being suffocated inside a gigantic sticky toffee pudding, but one with nasty bogeys planted inside. There was much of the 'Margaret Thatcher who was lucky enough to know me,' especially from her own side of the House. — Simon Hoggart

When you stop a dictator, there are always risks. But there are greater risks in not stopping a dictator. — Margaret Thatcher

This lady is not for turning. — Margaret Thatcher

Well it used to be about trying to do something, now it is about trying to be someone — Margaret Thatcher

The lesson is clear. Inflation devalues us all. — Margaret Thatcher

I am not running as Son of Margaret Thatcher. I have my own priorities and my own programmes. — John Major

It is your tax which pays for public spending. The government have no money of their own. There is only taxpayers' money. — Margaret Thatcher

Don't Cry For Me, Argentina — Margaret Thatcher

It is one of the great weaknesses of reasonable men and women that they imagine that projects which fly in the face of commonsense are not serious or being seriously undertaken. — Margaret Thatcher

Socialists cry "Power to the people", and raise the clenched fist as they say it. We all know what they really mean - power over people, power to the State. — Margaret Thatcher

Freedom is not synonymous with an easy life ... There are many difficult things about freedom: It does not give you safety, it creates moral dilemmas for you; it requires self-discipline; it imposes great responsibilities; but such is the nature of Man and in such consists his glory and salvation. — Margaret Thatcher

I don't know what I would do without Whitelaw. Everyone should have a Willy. — Margaret Thatcher

When England was a kingdom, we had a king. When we were an empire, we had an emperor. Now we're a country, and we have Margaret Thatcher. — Kenny Everett

I have a habit of comparing the phraseology of communiques ... noting a certain similarity of words, a certain similarity of optimism ... and a certain similarity in the lack of practical results during the ensuring years. — Margaret Thatcher

That is what capitalism is: a system that brings wealth to the many, not just the few. — Margaret Thatcher

A democratic Europe of nation states could be a force for liberty, enterprise and open trade. But, if creating a United States of Europe overrides these goals, the new Europe will be one of subsidy and protection — Margaret Thatcher

Yes, the Commission wants to increase its powers, Yes, it is a non-elected body and I do not want the Commission to increase its powers at the expense of the House, so of course we differ. The President of the Commission, Mr Delors, said at a press conference the other day that he wanted the European Parliament to be the democratic body of the Community. He wanted the Commission to be the Executive and he wanted the Council of Ministers to be the Senate. No! No! No! — Margaret Thatcher

Obsolete weapons do not deter. — Margaret Thatcher

There might be new technology, but technological progress itself was nothing new - and over the years it had not destroyed jobs, but created them. — Margaret Thatcher

We are a British nation with British characteristics. Every country can take some small minorities and in many ways they add to the richness and variety of this country. The moment the minority threatens to become a big one, people get frightened. — Margaret Thatcher

People from my sort of background needed grammar schools to compete with children from privileged homes like Shirley Williams and Anthony Wedgwood Benn. — Margaret Thatcher

I believe that the royal family are a focus of patriotism, of loyalty, of affection and of esteem. That is a rare combination, and we should value it highly. — Margaret Thatcher

Fackelmann claimed to have started a Log just to keep track of Kite's attempted pickup lines
surefire lines like e.g. 'You're the second most beautiful woman I've ever seen, the first most beautiful woman I've ever seem being former Bristish Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher,' and 'If you came home with me I'm unusually confident that I could achieve an erection,' and said that if Kite wasn't still cherry at twenty-three and a half it was proof of some kind of divine-type grace. — David Foster Wallace

To me, consensus seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects. — Margaret Thatcher

It's a funny old world. — Margaret Thatcher

Remember the 'Parable of the Talents' in the New Testament? Christ exhorts us to be the best we can be by developing our skills and abilities, by succeeding in all our tasks and endeavors. What better description can there be of capitalism? — Margaret Thatcher

I think, historically, the term 'Thatcherism' will be seen as a compliment. — Margaret Thatcher

All attempts to destroy democracy by terrorism will fail. It must be business as usual. — Margaret Thatcher

Platitudes? Yes, there are platitudes. Platitudes are there because they are true. — Margaret Thatcher

Alas, yes. Unfortunately our little canary has gone Section 2 on us. He's absolutely Upney;* halfway to Dagenham, in fact. We're keeping him here because he's not deemed a hazard to himself, but so far he's confessed to assassinating Margaret Thatcher - — Charles Stross

What we should grasp, however, from the lessons of European history is that, first, there is nothing necessarily benevolent about programmes of European integration; second, the desire to achieve grand utopian plans often poses a grave threat to freedom; and third, European unity has been tried before, and the outcome was far from happy. — Margaret Thatcher

I think perhaps we manage our revolutions much more quietly in this country. — Margaret Thatcher

If ... many influential people have failed to understand, or have just forgotten, what we were up against in the Cold War and how we overcame it, they are not going to be capable of securing, let alone enlarging, the gains that liberty has made. — Margaret Thatcher

What? What am I 'bound to be feeling?' People don't think anymore. They feel. 'How are you feeling? No, I don't feel comfortable. I'm sorry, we as a group we're feeling ... .' One of the great problems of our age is that we are governed by people who care more about feelings than they do about thoughts and ideas. Thoughts and ideas. That interests me. Ask me what I'm thinking. — Margaret Thatcher

Inflation is the parent of unemployment and the unseen robber of those who have saved. — Margaret Thatcher

When others spoke of the fear of war, you spoke of the need for warriors and peace through strength. When others bewailed the failure of big government to provide for the collective good, you spoke of self-reliance, of personal responsibility, of individual pride and integrity. When others preached compromise - when others demanded compromise, you, Ronald Reagan, preached conviction. — Margaret Thatcher

I shan't be pulling the levers there but I shall be a very good back-seat driver. — Margaret Thatcher

You will only succeed if you know that what you are doing is right and you know how to bring out the best in people. — Margaret Thatcher

For every idealistic peacemaker willing to renounce his self-defence in favour of a weapons-free world, there is at least one warmaker anxious to exploit the other's good intentions. — Margaret Thatcher

Well, there's a lot to react against![in response to the accusation that she was a reactionary] — Margaret Thatcher

We must not fall into the trap of projecting our own morality onto the Soviet leaders. They do not share our aspirations, they are not constrained by our ethics, they always consider themselves exempt from the rules that bind other states. — Margaret Thatcher

Some Socialists seem to believe that people should be numbers in a State computer. We believe they should be individuals. We are all unequal. No one, thank heavens, is like anyone else, however much the Socialists may pretend otherwise. We believe that everyone has the right to be unequal but to us every human being is equally important. — Margaret Thatcher

I couldn't live without work. That's what makes me so sympathetic towards those people who are unemployed. I don't know how they live without working. — Margaret Thatcher

In politics, If you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman. — Margaret Thatcher

We speak of peace, yes, but whose peace? Poland's? Bulgaria's? The peace of the grave? — Margaret Thatcher

I am not immortal, but I've got a lot left in me yet. — Margaret Thatcher

It used to be about trying to do something. Now it's about trying to be someone. — Margaret Thatcher

Ronald Reagan knew his own mind. He had firm principles - and, I believe, right ones. He expounded them clearly, he acted upon them decisively. — Margaret Thatcher

The accumulation of wealth is a process which is of itself morally neutral. True, as Christianity teaches, riches bring temptations. But then so does poverty. — Margaret Thatcher

If you set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing. — Margaret Thatcher

It will be years - not in my time - before a woman will become Prime Minister — Margaret Thatcher

Panky thinking: We had nuclear holocaust on our lips, Big Brother on our minds, 1984 was just around the corner and we were shit scared about the future - George Orwell and Margaret Thatcher had a lot to answer for. — Peter L Masters

The nanny seemed to be extinct until 1975, when, like the coelacanth, she suddenly and unexpectedly reappeared in the shape of Margaret Thatcher. — Simon Hoggart

Two famous happy warriors - Reagan and his political soulmate, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher - knew they were fighting their own ideological and external wars. But they did so with the sunny dispositions and positive outlooks of those who knew they were on the right side of history. — Monica Crowley

When in August 1793 a British delegation showed their hosts a terrestrial globe, it turned into a diplomatic incident, for the Chinese were furious to see that their empire covered so little of it. For centuries the Chinese had thought of themselves as 'The Middle Kingdom', that is the centre of the civilized world. To see otherwise was a shock. — Margaret Thatcher

If someone is confronting our essential liberties, if someone is inflicting injuries and harm, by God I'll confront them! — Margaret Thatcher

[On being asked how many Mrs. Thatchers there were:] Oh, three at least. There is the intellectual one, the intuitive one and the one at home. — Margaret Thatcher

I remain totally convinced that when children are young, however busy we may be with the practical duties inside the home, themost important thing of all is to devbote enoughh time and care to their needs and problems. — Margaret Thatcher

Europe will never be like America. Europe is a product of history. America is a product of philosophy. — Margaret Thatcher

I wouldn't be worth my salt if I weren't attracting some controversy and criticism. Everyone in the world who has done something in life has attracted criticism. — Margaret Thatcher

This business of the working class is on its way out I think. After all, aren't I working class? I work jolly hard, I can tell you. — Margaret Thatcher

It may be the cock that crows, but it is the hen that lays the eggs. — Margaret Thatcher

What Britain needs is an iron lady. — Margaret Thatcher

Because I am much like Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, I'm such an unconventional political figure that you really need to design a unique campaign that fits the way I operate. — Newt Gingrich

In my work, you get used to criticisms. Of course you do, because there are a lot of people trying to get you down, but I always cheer up immensely if one is particularly wounding because I think well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left. That is why my father always taught me: never worry about anyone who attacks you personally; it means their arguments carry no weight and they know it. — Margaret Thatcher

Her iron will won international respect. Her unabashed femininity gained women's. Margaret Thatcher was a lady's lady. — Louise Burfitt-Dons

Peace is hard work and we must not allow people to forget it. — Margaret Thatcher

Marxists get up early to further their cause. We must get up even earlier to defend our freedom. — Margaret Thatcher

If a woman like Eva Peron with no ideals can get that far, think how far I can go with the ideals that I have. — Margaret Thatcher

There can be no liberty unless there is economic liberty. — Margaret Thatcher

Business success isn't just a selfish aim. Profits spread beyond those who make them and bring jobs and prosperity. — Margaret Thatcher

Forget that I'm a woman. Forget the accusations that I am a Right Winger demanding privilege - I had precious little privilege in my early years. — Margaret Thatcher

When you've spent half your political life dealing with humdrum issues like the environment, it's exciting to have a real crisis on your hands. — Margaret Thatcher

Of course it's the same old story. Truth usually is the same old story. — Margaret Thatcher

Everything a politician promises at election time has to be paid for either by higher taxation or by borrowing. — Margaret Thatcher

I've got my teeth into him, and I'm not going to let go. — Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher was fearful of German unification because she believed that this would bring an immediate and formidable increase of economic strength to a Germany which was already the strongest economic partner in Europe. — Douglas Hurd

There are dangers in consensus: it could be an attempt to satisfy people holding no particular views about anything ... No great party can survive except on the basis of firm beliefs about what it wants to do. — Margaret Thatcher

If there is one instance in which a foreign policy I pursued met with unambiguous failure, it was my policy on German reunification. — Margaret Thatcher

Thatcher once said that if she were a visitor from Mars required to create a constitutional system, I would set up ... a hereditary monarchy, wonderfully trained, in duty and in leadership which understands example, which is always there, which is above politics, for which the whole nation has an affection and which is a symbol of patriotism. — Sally Bedell Smith

They are all a rotten lot. Schmidt and the Americans and we are the only people who would do any standing up and fighting if necessary. — Margaret Thatcher

It is quite clear that history will record that Margaret Thatcher was the greatest Prime Minister this country has had since Churchill. — Nigel Lawson

Nothing is more obstinate than a fashionable consensus. — Margaret Thatcher

John Gummer just did not have the political clout or credibility to rally the troops. I had appointed him as a sort of nightwatchman, but he seemed to have to sleep on the job. — Margaret Thatcher

The election of a man committed to the cause of freedom and the renewal of America's strength has given encouragement to all those who love liberty. — Margaret Thatcher

Socialists are happy until they run out of other people's money. — Margaret Thatcher

I think they (Thatcher protesters) ought to be grateful for the fact that the people who hold our (pro-Thatcher) views, and who are not mindless bigots, won't allow their behaviour to provoke us into words or behaviour which would could be seen as a breach of the peace. Hopefully, those of us who admire Margaret Thatcher are too well-mannered to fall for the bait. — Norman Tebbit

The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money. — Margaret Thatcher

It can be argued - and rightly - that Taiwan is not just another regional issue: after all, the Chinese regard it as part of China. But Taiwan is also a regional issue for three reasons. First, the overthrow or even the neutering of democracy in Taiwan, which is what Beijing effectively demands, would be a major setback for democracy in the region as a whole. Second, if the Chinese were able to get their way by force in Taiwan, they would undoubtedly be tempted to do the same in other disputes. And third, there is no lack of such disputes to provoke a quarrel. — Margaret Thatcher

I'm quoting Margaret Thatcher. I quote her frequently. — Carly Fiorina

I exercise my right as a free citizen to spend my own money in my own way, so that I can go on the day, the time, to the doctor I choose and get out fast. — Margaret Thatcher

Of course you have a duty to show the disfigurations of society as well as its more agreeable aspects. But if TV in the western world uses its freedom continually to show all that is worst in our society, while the centrally controlled television of the Communist world and the dictatorships show only what is judged advantageous to them and suppress everything else, how are the uncommitted to judge between us? How can they fail to misjudge if they view matters only through a distorted mirror? — Margaret Thatcher

Failure? The possibilities do not exist. — Margaret Thatcher

Our aim is to make tax collecting a declining industry. — Margaret Thatcher

Freedom under the law must never be taken for granted. — Margaret Thatcher