Top 15 Margaret Thatcher Quotes

British stateswoman and prime minister (1925–2013)

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Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher (13 October 1925 – 8 April 2013) was a British politician and stateswoman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the first female British prime minister and the longest-serving British prime minister of the 20th century. As prime minister, she implemented neoliberal economic policies of deregulation and privatization that became known as Thatcherism. A Soviet journalist dubbed her the "Iron Lady", a nickname that became associated with her uncompromising politics and leadership style.

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Birth Name: Margaret Hilda Roberts

Alternative Names: Baroness Thatcher • Margaret Hilda Thatcher • Margaret Roberts • Maggie Thatcher • Baroness Margaret Thatcher • Lady Thatcher • Mrs. Thatcher • Mrs. T • Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven

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Don't follow the crowd, let the crowd follow you.

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

Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's a day you've had everything to do and you've done it.

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

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

Do you know that 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.

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

I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left.

When I'm out of politics I'm going to run a business, it'll be called rent-a-spine

Europe was created by history. America was created by philosophy.

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

I think we've been through a period where too many people have been given to understand that if they have a problem, it's the government's job to cope with it. 'I have a problem, I'll get a grant.' 'I'm homeless, the government must house me.' They're casting their problem on society. And, you know, there is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women, and there are families. And no government can do anything except through people, and people must look to themselves first. It's our duty to look after ourselves and then, also to look after our neighbour. People have got the entitlements too much in mind, without the obligations. There's no such thing as entitlement, unless someone has first met an obligation.

I do not know anyone who has gotten to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but it will get you pretty near.

Watch your thoughts, for they will become actions. Watch your actions, for they'll become... habits. Watch your habits for they will forge your character. Watch your character, for it will make your destiny.

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