Harold Macmillan quotes

He is forever poised between a clich. (Harold Macmillan)
It has been said that there is no fool like an old fool, except a young fool. But the young fool has first to grow up to be an old fool to realize what a damn fool he was when he was a young fool. View quote
Harold Macmillan
We have not overthrown the divine right of kings to fall down for the divine right of experts. View quote
Harold Macmillan
I'd like that translated, if I may. View quote
Harold Macmillan
In long experience I find that a man who trusts nobody is apt to be the kind of man nobody trusts. View quote
Harold Macmillan
To be alive at all involves some risk. View quote
Harold Macmillan
No man should ever lose sleep over public affairs. View quote
Harold Macmillan
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. View quote
Harold Macmillan
There might be 1 finger on the trigger, but there will be 15 fingers on the safety catch. View quote
Harold Macmillan
Once the bear's hug has got you, it is apt to be for keeps. View quote
Harold Macmillan
It's a good thing to be laughed at. It's better than to be ignored. (Harold Macmillan)
It breaks my heart to see (I can't interfere or do anything at my age) what is happening in our country today - this terrible strike of the best men in the world, who beat the Kaiser's army and beat Hitler's army, and never gave in. Pointless, endless. We can't afford that kind of thing. And then this growing division which the noble Lord who has just spoken mentioned, of a comparatively prosperous south, and an ailing north and midlands. That can't go on. View quote
Harold Macmillan
So what did they do? They solemnly asked Parliament, not to approve or disapprove, but to 'take note' of our decision. Perhaps some of the older ones among you will remember that popular song: 'She didn't say "Yes", she didn't say "No". She didn't say "stay", she didn't say "go". She wanted to climb, but dreaded to fall, she bided her time and clung to the wall.' View quote
Harold Macmillan
As usual the Liberals offer a mixture of sound and original ideas. Unfortunately none of the sound ideas is original and none of the original ideas is sound. View quote
Harold Macmillan
I was determined that no British government should be brought down by the action of two tarts. View quote
Harold Macmillan
Tradition does not mean that the living are dead, it means that the dead are living. View quote
Harold Macmillan
If people want a sense of purpose they should get it from their archbishop. They should certainly not get it from their politicians. View quote
Harold Macmillan
It is the duty of Her Majesty's government neither to flap nor to falter. View quote
Harold Macmillan
I read a great number of press reports and find comfort in the fact that they are nearly always conflicting. View quote
Harold Macmillan
When the curtain falls, the best thing an actor can do is to go away. View quote
Harold Macmillan
Memorial services are the cocktail parties of the geriatric set. (Harold Macmillan)
Britain's most useful role is somewhere between bee and dinosaur. View quote
Harold Macmillan
It's no use crying over spilt summits. View quote
Harold Macmillan
I was a sort of son to Ike, and it was the other way round with Kennedy. View quote
Harold Macmillan
Marxism is like a classical building that followed the Renaissance; beautiful in its way, but incapable of growth. View quote
Harold Macmillan