“Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.”

“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.”

“If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.”

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

“To cure the British disease with socialism was like trying to cure leukaemia with leeches.”

“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.”

“You and I come by road or rail, but economists travel on infrastructure.”

“Any leader has to have a certain amount of steel in them, so I am not that put out being called the Iron Lady.”

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