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Margaret Thatcher: It used to be about trying to do something. Now it's about trying to be someone.
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Alexander Haig: So you are proposing to go to war over these islands. They're thousands of miles away, a handful of citizens, politically and economically insignificant, if you'll excuse me.
Margaret Thatcher: Just like Hawaii, I imagine.
Alexander Haig: I'm sorry?
Margaret Thatcher: 1941, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Did America go cap in hand and ask Tojo for a peaceful negotiation of terms? Did she turn her back on her own citizens there because the islands were thousands of miles from mainland United States? No! No, no! We will stand on principle, or we shall not stand at all.
Alexander Haig: But Margaret, with all due respect, when one has been to war...
Margaret Thatcher: With all due respect, sir, I have done battle every single day of my life and many men have underestimated me before. This lot seem bound to do the same, but they will rue the day.
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Airey Neave: If you want to change this party, lead it. If you want to change the country, lead it.
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Margaret Thatcher: This lot seems bound to do the same... but they will rue the day.
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Margaret Thatcher: We will stand on principle... or we will not stand at all.
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Margaret Thatcher: It's time to get up! It's time go to work! It's time to put the great back into Great Britain!
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Margaret Thatcher: Sink it!
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Young Denis Thatcher: Margaret, will you marry me?
[a pause, Margaret stares at him]
Young Denis Thatcher: Well?
Young Margaret Thatcher: [Margaret is still staring, Denis kisses her hand] Yes. Yes!
Young Denis Thatcher: [Margaret starts to cry from happiness, Denis leans in for a kiss, but she suddenly pulls back] What?
Young Margaret Thatcher: I love you so much but, I will never be one of those women, Denis. Who stays silent and pretty on the arm of her husband. Or remote and alone in the kitchen - doing the washing up, for that matter.
Young Denis Thatcher: [interrupts] I'm going to help with that...
Young Margaret Thatcher: No. One's life must matter, Dennis. Beyond all the cooking and the cleaning and the children. One's life must mean more than that. I cannot die washing up a teacup! I mean it, Denis. Say you understand.
Young Denis Thatcher: That's why I want to marry you, my dear.
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Margaret Thatcher: Where did you go?
Denis Thatcher: South Africa.
Margaret Thatcher: Ah, yes.
Denis Thatcher: How many days passed before you realized I'd gone? Probably had to ask the cleaning woman where I was.
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Margaret Thatcher: "How do you feel?" / "Oh, I don't feel comfortable." / "Oh, I'm so sorry, we the group, we're feeling..." Do you know, one of the greatest problems of our age is that we are governed by people who care more about feelings than they do about thoughts and ideas? Now, thoughts and ideas, that interests me.
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Margaret Thatcher: [switching off television] I don't recognize myself.
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Denis Thatcher: One likes to make an effort. A snifter?
Margaret Thatcher: You're dead, Denis.
Denis Thatcher: Ah well, if I'm dead, who are you talking to? Shall we dance?
Margaret Thatcher: Oh...
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Denis Thatcher: You'll be fine on your own, love. You always have been.
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Margaret Thatcher: Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. What we think, we become. My father always said that. And I think I am fine.
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Margaret Thatcher: Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, because they become actions. Watch your actions, because they become habits. Watch your habits, because they become your character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. What we think, we become.
The Iron Lady Quotes
Extended Reading
