Harold MacMillan Quotes - Page 2

I am MacWonder one moment and MacBlunder the next.

If ever the call comes to them, the young will go straight from the ranks of the neutralists into the ranks of he Majesty's Forces, as they have so often done in the past.

No man should ever lose sleep over public affairs.

There are three bodies no sensible man directly challenges: the Roman Catholic Church, the Brigade of Guards and the National Union of Mineworkers

After long experience of politics, I have never found that there is any inhibition caused by ignorance as regards criticism.

It is a good thing to be laughed at. It is better than to be ignored.

When the curtain falls, the best thing an actor can do is to go away.

Britain's most useful role is somewhere between bee and dinosaur.

The only quality needed for an MP is the ability to write a good letter.

If you don't believe in God, all you have to believe in is decency. Decency is very good. Better decent than indecent. But I don't think it's enough.

I'd like that translated, if I may.

I will not be able to carry the physical burden of leading the Party at the next general election. I hope it will soon be possible for the customary processes of consultation to be carried on within the Party about its future leadership.

It is the duty of Her Majesty's government neither to flap nor to falter.

There might be 1 finger on the trigger, but there will be 15 fingers on the safety catch.

Memorial services are the cocktail parties of the geriatric set.

Although I am still in favour of a National Government in these difficult times, and shall probably be found in the great majority of cases in the Government Lobby, there are some issues that have arisen, or are likely to arise, upon which I am unable to give the Government the support which it has, perhaps, the right to expect from those receiving the Government Whip. It occurs to me, therefore, that it would perhaps be more satisfactory if I was no longer regarded as being among the supporters of the present Administration.

I read a great number of press reports and find comfort in the fact that they are nearly always conflicting.

You can hardly say boo to a goose in the House of Commons now without cries of "Ungentlemanly," "Not fair" and all the rest.

It has been said that there is no fool like an old fool

He (Aneurin Bevan) enjoys prophesying the imminent fall of the capitalist system, and is prepared to play a part, any part, in its burial, except that of mute.

We do not intend to part from the Americans and we do not intend to be satellites. I am sure they do not want us to be so. The stronger we are, the better partners we shall be; and I feel certain that as the months pass we shall draw continually closer together with mutual confidence and respect.

Once the bear's hug has got you, it is apt to be for keeps.

I was a sort of son to Ike, and it was the other way round with Kennedy.

At home, you always have to be a politician; when you're abroad, you almost feel yourself a statesman.

It isn't those who always addressing each other as comrade who necessarily show the most brotherly feelings.