Harold MacMillan quotes

Harold MacMillan, born on February 10, 1894, was a prominent British politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1957 to 1963. He was a key figure in shaping post-war British society and foreign policy. MacMillan's leadership was marked by economic stability and social reforms, earning him the nickname 'Supermac'. He successfully navigated the decolonization process, fostering closer relationships with Commonwealth nations. MacMillan's pragmatic approach to addressing social inequalities helped establish a welfare state consensus. Explore more about the life and accomplishments of Harold MacMillan.

Tradition does not mean that the living are dead, it means that the dead are living.

- Harold MacMillan

No man should ever lose sleep over public affairs.

- Harold MacMillan

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

- Harold MacMillan

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.

- Harold MacMillan

To be alive at all involves some risk.

- 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.

- Harold MacMillan

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

- Harold MacMillan

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

- Harold MacMillan

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

- 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.

- 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.

- Harold MacMillan

A man who trusts nobody is apt to be the kind of man nobody trusts.

- Harold MacMillan

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

- Harold MacMillan

No man succeeds without a good woman behind him. Wife or mother, if it is both, he is twice blessed indeed.

- Harold MacMillan

I have never found, in a long experience of politics, that criticism is ever inhibited by ignorance.

- Harold MacMillan

Marxism is like a classical building that followed the Renaissance; beautiful in its way, but incapable of growth.

- 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.

- Harold MacMillan

I was determined that no British government should be brought down by the action of two tarts.

- Harold MacMillan

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

- Harold MacMillan

It's no use crying over spilt summits.

- Harold MacMillan

In long experience I find that a man who trusts nobody is apt to be the kind of man nobody trusts.

- Harold MacMillan

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

- Harold MacMillan

We have not overthrown the divine right of kings to fall down for the divine right of experts.

- Harold MacMillan

(A Foreign Secretary) is forever poised between the cliche and the indiscretion.

- Harold MacMillan

He is forever poised between a cliche and an indiscretion.

- Harold MacMillan

Power? It's like a Dead Sea fruit. When you achieve it, there is nothing there.

- Harold MacMillan