Portrait of Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher

British PM, Iron Lady

Contemporary influential 154 sayings

Sayings by Margaret Thatcher

I am not a consensus politician. I am a conviction politician.

1987 — Interview, TV-am
Political Confirmed

I owe nothing to feminism. Feminism has done nothing for me.

1982 — Interview with The Sunday Times
Wisdom Unverifiable

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

1987 — Interview with Woman's Own magazine
Money & Business Confirmed

I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end.

1980s — Attributed, often cited in biographies
Wisdom Confirmed

You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.

1981 — Speech to Conservative Party Conference
War & Conflict Unverifiable

To wear your heart on your sleeve isn't a very good plan; you should wear it inside, where it does the most good.

1981 — Interview with The Observer
Love & Relationships Confirmed

I always cheer up immensely if anything looks like going wrong, because I know that I am then in my element.

1979 — Interview with The Daily Telegraph
Wisdom Unverifiable

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

1979 — Interview with The Daily Telegraph
Inspirational Confirmed

I am not a bully. I am a realist.

1980s — Reported in 'Mrs Thatcher's Way' by Patrick Cosgrave
Wisdom Unverifiable

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

1980s — Attributed, often cited in biographies
Power & Leadership Confirmed

I don't mind how much my ministers talk, so long as they do what I say.

1980s — Attributed, often cited in biographies
Wisdom Confirmed

No one would remember the Good Samaritan if he'd only had good intentions; he had money as well.

1980 — Speech to Conservative Party Conference
Money & Business Confirmed

It is not the creation of wealth that is wrong, but the love of money for its own sake.

1982 — Interview with The Sunday Times
Love & Relationships Unverifiable

The British people have spoken. They said, 'No.'

1975 — Referring to the 1975 EEC referendum result
Wisdom Unverifiable

I am in politics because of the conflict between good and evil, and I believe that in the end good will triumph.

1989 — Interview for 'The World This Week', BBC
Inspirational Confirmed

I've got a woman's ability to stick to a job and get on with it when everyone else walks off and leaves it.

1979 — Interview with The Daily Telegraph
Wisdom Unverifiable

If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.

1982 — Speech at a Conservative Party rally
Wisdom Confirmed

The Iron Lady has no intention of going rusty.

1979 — Speech to Conservative Party Conference
Wisdom Unverifiable

I am not afraid to be wrong. I am afraid of being right too soon.

1980s — Attributed, often cited in biographies
Wisdom Unverifiable

There are still people who believe that they can get something for nothing, and that the state will provide.

1987 — Interview with Woman's Own magazine
Inspirational Unverifiable
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