When will Labour learn that you cannot build Jerusalem in Brussels.
Margaret ThatcherRead
If you lead a country like Britain, a strong country, a country which has taken a lead in world affairs in good times and in bad, a country that is always reliable, then you have to have a touch of iron about you.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Strong leadership requires firmness and reliability, especially for influential countries.
In this quote, Margaret Thatcher emphasizes that to effectively lead a powerful nation like Britain, one must possess a strong and resolute character. The phrase 'a touch of iron' suggests that leaders must exhibit strength and determination, maintaining reliability in both prosperous and challenging times, which is essential for a country that aims to have a significant impact on global affairs.
Themes
LeadershipStrengthReliabilityFirmnessCharacter
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on government leadership, one might say, 'As Margaret Thatcher noted, effective leaders need a touch of iron.'
More from Margaret Thatcher
All quotes →Never in the history of human credit has so much been owed.
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The battle for women's rights has been largely won.
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Ought we not to ask the media to agree among themselves a voluntary code of conduct, under which they would not say or show anything which could assist the terrorists' morale or their cause while the hijack lasted.
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Israel must never be expected to jeopardize her security: if she was ever foolish enough to do so, and then suffered for it, the backlash against both honest brokers and Palestinians would be immense - 'land for peace' must also bring peace.
Margaret ThatcherRead
If it's me against 48, I feel sorry for the 48.
Margaret ThatcherRead
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