Margaret Thatcher

If... many influential people have failed to understand, or have just forgotten, what we were up against in the Cold War and how we overcame it, they are not going to be capable of securing, let alone enlarging, the gains that liberty has made.

It's a funny old world.

I like Mr. Gorbachev, we can do business together.

The battle for women's rights has been largely won.

If it's me against 48 I feel sorry for the 48.

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.

One only gets to the top rung of the ladder by steadily climbing up one at a time and suddenly all sorts of powers all sorts of abilities which you thought never belonged to you- suddenly become within your own possibility and you think "Well I'll have a go too."

Success is having a flair for the thing that you are doing knowing that is not enough that you have got to have hard work and a sense of purpose.

It may be the cock that crows but it is the hen that lays the eggs.

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

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

The lady's not for turning.

Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.

Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country.

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

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 when you've had everything to do and you've done it.

Pennies do not come from heaven- they have to be earned here on earth.

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