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Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher Quotes

Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

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Famous Margaret Thatcher Quotes

“In the background lurks the scourge of international terrorism. There are people exercising power in a few countries and leading political factions in others who seem to be moved by narrow, brutal and irrational impulses. Their view of their own self-interest is so blinkered as to leave no space for purely human values, for peaceful negotiation or for economic advancement. They are bent on the destruction of the established order and of civilised ways of doing business. They must never be allowed to succeed.”

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Author:Margaret Thatcher
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“I was brought up by a Victorian Grandmother. We were taught to work jolly hard. We were taught to prove yourself; we were taught self reliance; we were taught to live within our income. You were taught that cleanliness is next to Godliness. You were taught self respect. You were taught always to give a hand to your neighbour. You were taught tremendous pride in your country. All of these things are Victorian values. They are also perennial values. You don't hear so much about these things these days, but they were good values and they led to tremendous improvements in the standard of living.”

GivingSelfCountryHardHandsValuesNextTaughtPrideProveStandardsImprovementIncomeThese DaysSelf RespectGrandmotherSelf RelianceRelianceNeighbourGodlinessCleanlinessStandards Of LivingVictorianJollyProving YourselfGood Values
Author:Margaret Thatcher
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“If I were a German today, I would be proud, proud but also worried. I would be proud of the magnificent achievement of rebuilding my country, entrenching democracy and assuming the undoubtedly preponderant position in Europe. But a united Germany can't and won't subordinate its national interests in economic or in foreign policy to those of the Community indefinitely. Germany's new pre-eminence is a fact - and its power is a problem - as much for Germans as for the rest of Europe.”

IfsCountryFactsProblemWould BeTodayInterestCommunityUnitedDemocracyEconomicPolicyPositionProudAchievementEuropeAssumingWorriedGermanyForeign PolicyMagnificentBe ProudSubordinatesRebuildingNational InterestsEminence
Book:As I said to Denis--: the Margaret Thatcher book of quotations
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“It had the effect of cementing the Anglo-American alliance. What's the good of having bases if when you want to use them you're not allowed to by the home country. It made America realise that Britain was her real and true friend, when they were hard up against it and wanted something, and that no one else in Europe was. They're a weak lot, some of them in Europe you know. Weak. Feeble.”

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Author:Margaret Thatcher
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“No theory of government was ever given a fairer test or a more prolonged experiment in a democratic country than democratic socialism received in Britain. Yet it was a miserable failure in every respect... To cure the British disease with socialism was like trying to cure leukemia with leeches.”

TryingCountryGovernmentGivenTheoryDiseaseTestsDemocraticBritishExperimentsSocialismCuresMiserableBritainDemocratic SocialismLeechesLeukemiaDemocratic Country
Author:Margaret Thatcher
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“The legal system we have and the rule of law are far more responsible for our traditional liberties than any system of one man one vote. Any country or Government which wants to proceed towards tyranny starts to undermine legal rights and undermine the law.”

MenWantCountryGovernmentLawLibertyRightsVoteResponsibleTyrannyTraditionalOne ManRule Of LawLegal SystemLegal Rights
Book:As I said to Denis--: the Margaret Thatcher book of quotations
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“The spirit of the South Atlantic was the spirit of Britain at her best. It has been said that we surprised the world, that British patriotism was rediscovered in those spring days. It was never really lost. But it would be no bad thing if the feeling that swept the country then were to continue to inspire us. For if there was any doubt about the determination of the British people it was removed by the men and women who, a few months ago, brought a renewed sense of pride and self-respect to our country.”

PeopleIfsMenWorldHas BeensSaidSelfCountryFeelingsWould BeSpiritLostDoubtInspireHe ManPrideMonthsSpringMen And WomenDeterminationSouthBritishOur CountryBritainSelf RespectBad ThingsSpring Day
Book:As I said to Denis--: the Margaret Thatcher book of quotations
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“While the Soviet Union has imposed its rule on its neighbours and drawn an iron curtain between east and west, we in Great Britain have given freedom and independence to more than forty-eight countries whose populations now number more than a thousand million - a quarter of the world's total.”

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Author:Margaret Thatcher
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“Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country.”

CountryProblemHomeRunningStrongUnderstandingPowerfulIronStrong WomenEmpowering WomenFemale EmpowermentPowerful WomenInspirational WomenSuccessful WomenInspirational Strong WomenBeing A Strong WomanStrong Women And LoveIron LadyI Am WomanStrong Independent WomenWomen LeadershipBeing Independent WomanStrong Powerful WomenWomen Best InspirationalStrong IndependentEncouragement For WomenIron Will
Author:Margaret Thatcher
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“I too have a certain idea of America. Moreover, I would not feel entitled to say that of any other country, except my own. This is not just sentiment, though I always feel ten years younger – despite the jet-lag – when I set foot on American soil: there is something so positive, generous, and open about the people – and everything actually works. I also feel, though, that I have in a sense a share of America.”

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Author:Margaret Thatcher
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“When we hear (as we sometimes do) that (Russia's) economic output is about half the level of a decade ago or that real incomes have fallen sharply, it is worth recalling that economic statistics under the Soviet Union were hardly more reliable than any other official statements. Moreover, a country that produces what no one wants to buy, and whose workers receive wages that they cannot use to buy goods they want, is hardly in the best of economic health.”

WantRealCountrySometimesUseLevelsHalfEconomicProduceUnionsWorkersDecadesRussiaIncomeStatementsFallenOfficialsStatisticsGoodsSovietWagesSoviet UnionOutput
Author:Margaret Thatcher
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“Let me give you my vision: A man's right to work as he will, to spend what he earns, to own property, to have the state as servant and not as master. These are the British inheritance. They are the essence of a free country, and on that freedom all of our other freedoms depend.”

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Book:Let our children grow tall: selected speeches, 1975-1977
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“In the Conservative Party we have no truck with outmoded Marxist doctrine about class warfare. For us it is not who you are, who your family is or where you come from that matters, but what you are and what you can do for your country that counts.”

CountryMatterCan DoPartyClassWho You AreConservativeDoctrineOur FamilyWarfareTruckMarxistClass WarfareWhere You ComeConservative Party
Book:The revival of Britain: speeches on home and European affairs, 1975-1988
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“That nations that have gone for equality, like Communism, have neither freedom nor justice nor equality, they've the greatest inequalities of all, the privileges of the politicians are far greater compared with the ordinary folk than in any other country. The nations that have gone for freedom, justice and independence of people have still freedom and justice, and they have far more equality between their people, far more respect for each individual than the other nations. Go my way. You will get freedom and justice and much less difference between people than you do in the Soviet Union.”

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Author:Margaret Thatcher
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“It has been suggested by some people in this country that I and my government will be a "soft touch" in the [European] Community. In case such a rumour may have reached your ears, Mr Chancellor... it is only fair that I should advise you frankly to dismiss it (as my own colleagues did, long ago). We shall judge what British interests are and we shall be resolute in defending them.”

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Author:Margaret Thatcher
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