Her words strike a cord with something that my plain middle class upbringing instilled in me from very early on. They make much more sense now. And this Iron Lady knew her way with words. I am not well-versed with British politics., but this one woman was much more than an average politician. She had an indomitable spirit. Something that can never fail a person, especially one who knows exactly where she wants to be.
On Attitude “To wear your heart on your sleeve isn’t a very good plan; you should wear it inside, where it functions best.”
“Watch your thoughts for they become words.
Watch your words for they become actions.
Watch your actions for they’ll become….habits.
Watch your habits for they will forge your character.
And watch your character for it will make your destiny.
What we think, we become”
On Resilience
- “If you just set out to be liked, you will be prepared to compromise on anything at anytime, and would achieve nothing.”
- “I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end.”
- “If it is once again one against forty-eight. Then I am very sorry for the forty-eight.”
- “Truth usually , is the same old story”
On the Road to Success
- “Oh, but you know, you do not achieve anything without trouble, ever.” (the story of our lives!!!)
- “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.”
- “You don’t win by just being against things, you only win by being for things and making your message perfectly clear.”
On a Successful Model of Government:
“Singapore‘s success shows us that:
- A country’s wealth need not depend on natural resources, it may even ultimately benefit from their absence.
- The greatest resource of all is Man.
- What government has to do is to set the framework for human talent to flourish.”
On Patriotism
- “A man may climb Everest for himself, but at the summit he plants his country’s flag.”
- “Constitutions have to be written on hearts, not just paper.”
On Economics
- “No-one would remember the Good Samaritan if he’d only had good intentions; he had money as well.”
- “Pennies do not fall from heaven. They have to be earned, here on Earth.” (My Dad’s words., especially when the daughter borders on prodigality 🙂 )
And a line that defines Power as well as Womanhood
“Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.”
“I too have a certain idea of America. Moreover, I would not feel entitled to say that of any other country, except my own. This is not just sentiment, though I always feel ten years younger – despite the jet-lag – when I set foot on American soil: there is something so positive, generous, and open about the people – and everything actually works. I also feel, though, that I have in a sense a share of America.”
As an Indian girl with not a single relation outside India, who wants to pursue further education in US, these are the same sentiments that this place first evoked in me. Throughout my 5 months in New York City and Chicago, as well as my feeling this time around, it was like a whole new lesson in tolerance, generosity and a hard working attitude that is reflected in every person who is here. Each person is a reflection of the place from where their families immigrated into this country. There is something vulnerable about this place that makes you want to protect it. It respects you for what you bring to the table, what you add to humanity, no matter your language, nationality,color or religion. You get to contribute to it., without losing your identity. Yes, I feel that I have in a sense a share of America. I owe her my gratitude for being a gracious host and a tough teacher.
Dazzling White Sunshine. 