“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it”
“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it” is a saying that has been printed on many images. “YOU MAY have to fight a battle more than once to win it.—Mrs. Thatcher” was printed in The Observer (London, UK) on January 14, 1979. Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013) was then Leader of the Opposition; she would become Prime Minister in May 1979.
The quotation—never properly sourced to 1979—is still very popular.
Wikipedia: Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, LG, OM, PC, FRS, FRIC (née Roberts; 13 October 1925 – 8 April 2013), was a British stateswoman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the longest-serving British prime minister of the 20th century and the first woman to have been appointed. A Soviet journalist dubbed her the “Iron Lady”, a nickname that became associated with her uncompromising politics and leadership style. As Prime Minister, she implemented policies that have come to be known as Thatcherism.
Wikiquote: Margaret Thatcher
Disputed
You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.
. This quote is widely attributed to Margaret Thatcher on various websites, and also appears in a number of books, including The Concise Columbia Dictionary of Quotations, Columbia University Press (1989), ed. Robert Andrews, p. 320 : ISBN 0231069901. 9780231069908 , but without any further source information such as date, location or any other context.
. One valid Thatcher quote which may be the basis for the version above appears in the Second Carlton Lecture (‘Why Democracy Will Last’), delivered at the Carlton Club, London (November 26, 1984) : Mr. Chairman, each generation has to stand up for democracy. It can’t take anything for granted and may have to fight fundamental battles anew. You know that marvellous quotation from Goethe : ‘That which thy fathers bequeathed thee / Earn it anew if thou would possess it.’
. Thatcher also expressed this thought in a Speech to Atlantic Bridge (May 14, 2003), delivered at the St. Regis Hotel, New York City : My friends, every generation has to fight anew the battle for liberty.
14 January 1979, The Observer (London, UK), “Sayings of the week,” pg. 11, col. 2:
YOU MAY have to fight a battle more than once to win it.—Mrs. Thatcher.
Google Books
The Bulletin (Australia)
Volumes 99-100
1979
Pg. 85:
You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it. — UK Opposition Leader Margaret Thatcher
Google Books
The Concise Columbia Dictionary of Quotations
By Robert Andrews
New York, NY: Columbia University
1989
Pg. 320:
You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.
Margaret Thatcher (b. 1925)
British prime minister
30 July 1992, Evansville (IN) Courier, “Scram-lets” by Clay R. Pollan, pg. C11, col. 1:
“In my experience,” the professor told his students, “I’ve found that found that you may have to fight a battle more than once in order to WIN it.”
3 February 1995, Daily Press (Newport News, VA), “Panels Crush Allen’s Plan for Tax Cuts” by David Lerman, pg. A1:
Quoting former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who will visit the General Assembly today, Allen said, “Sometimes you have to fight a battle more than once before you win it.” Then he added, “We have just begun to fight!”
Google Books
Everyday Useful Quotes
By Paul G. Blacketor
Xlibris Corporation (Xlibris.com)
2009
Pg. 420:
You might have to fight a battle more than once to win it.
Thatcher, Margaret (1925-)
Google Books
Maggie & Me:
A Memoir
By Damian Barr
Toronto, ON: Ananasi
2013
Pg. 13:
‘You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.’
Margaret Thatcher, The Downing Street Years
Reddit—Quotes
You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it. Margaret Thatcher (self.quotes)
submitted January 6, 2017 by SophiaMasonVirgin
COMMENTS
meetthesea
Can you explain this quote?
SophiaMasonVirgin
you may lose sometimes but dont lose heart, fight again unless you win 😊 simple