Quote collection
508 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"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."
"The mission of this government is much more than the promotion of economic progress. It is to renew the spirit and solidarity of the nation."
"I think, historically, the term 'Thatcherism' will be seen as a compliment."
"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."
"Never in the history of human credit has so much been owed."
"Their pitiless ideology only survives because it is maintained by force. But the day comes when the anger and frustration of the people is so great that force cannot contain it. Then the edifice cracks: the mortar crumbles."
"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."
"We simply cannot delegate the exercise of mercy and generosity to others."
"I calculate that I was responsible for proposing the elevation to the Lords of some 214 of its present numbers."
"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."
"Had I faltered we would have neither the success nor the international reputation we have. Yet when a woman is strong she is strident. If a man is strong, he's a good guy."
"But if Saddam had been in a position credibly to threaten America or any of its allies - or the coalition's forces - with attack by missiles with nuclear warheads, would we have gone to the Gulf at all?"
"Never believe that technology alone will allow America to prevail as a superpower."
"Human rights did not begin with the French Revolution...[they] really stem from a mixture of Judaism and Christianity...[we English] had 1688, our quiet revolution, where Parliament exerted its will over the King...it was not the sort of Revolution that France's was...'Liberty, equality, fraternity' - they forgot obligations and duties I think. And then of course the fraternity went missing for a long time."
"I don't know what I would do without Whitelaw. Everyone should have a Willy."
"It is sometimes said that because of our past we, as a people, expect too much and set our sights too high. That is not the way I see it. Rather it seems to me that throughout my life in politics our ambitions have steadily shrunk. Our response to disappointment has not been to lengthen our stride but to shorten the distance to be covered. But with confidence in ourselves and in our future what a nation we could be!"
"Making change tolerable is one of the duties of Government."
"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!"
"If we open our hearts to God, He has promised to work within us."
"One hopes to achieve the zero option, but in the absence of that we must achieve balanced numbers."