17 April 2013

Some of Margaret's more memorable sayings - 


In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man; if you want anything done, ask a woman - May 1965, in a speech to the National Union of Townswomen's Guilds conference.


Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth.  Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope - May 1979 on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street, after her election as prime minister.

Pennies don't fall from heaven, they have to earned here on earth - November 1979, in a speech to the Lord Mayor's Banquet.


I think we have gone through a period when too many children and people have been given to understand, 'I have a problem, it is the government's job to cope with it,' or, ' I have a problem, I will go and get a grant to cope with it', 'I am homeless, the government must house me'. And so they are casting their problems on society, and who is society?  
There is no such thing!  There are individual men and women and there are families, and no government can do anything except through people and people look to themselves first.  It is our duty to look after ourselves and then also to help look after our neighbour. - September 1987 , in an interview with Women's Own magazine.


If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time and you would achieve nothing - May 1989, on approaching her 10th anniversary as prime minister.

You don't follow the crowd, you make up your own mind.  That was instilled very early - June 1989 in an interview with Vanity Fair magazine, on the advice she received from her father.

Being powerful is like being a lady.  If you have to tell people you are, you aren't. unknown.

... and finally ...


I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end - April 1989, in an interview with The Observer



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