“I am also for attente, for wanting to see results; for not letting down our guard; for keeping our powder dry.”

— Margaret Thatcher

Speech to Pilgrims of the United States (16 September 1975) http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/102462 regarding the Soviet Union
Leader of the Opposition
Context: I am all for the spirit behind this, for easier contacts and the freer movement of people. I am for détente—who is not? I am also for attente, for wanting to see results; for not letting down our guard; for keeping our powder dry. Let them show us that they will practise what they preach, about reducing the threat of war, about non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries.

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "I am also for attente, for wanting to see results; for not letting down our guard; for keeping our powder dry." by Margaret Thatcher?

Margaret Thatcher 348

British stateswoman and politician 1925–2013

Related quotes

“For Team Chiz, the philosophy is never to let our guard down and to run scared with the survey results guiding our steps along the way.”

Francis Escudero (1969) Filipino politician

The Philippine Star http://www.philstar.com/election-2013/2013/04/30/936727/chiz-visit-mindanao-visayas-kris-aquino
2013, Mid-Term Campaign Trail

“Let the music keep our spirits high
And let the buildings keep our children dry
Let creation reveal its secrets by and by”

Jackson Browne (1948) American singer-songwriter

Before the Deluge (1974) from For Everyman (1973)

“Have faith in God but keep your powder dry.”

Louis L'Amour (1908–1988) Novelist, short story writer

“Put your trust in God, but keep your powder dry.”

William Blacker

Popularized by Blacker in the poem "Oliver's Advice", http://books.google.com/books?id=JmEaAQAAIAAJ&dq=%22Oliver%27s+Advice%22+Cromwell&q=%22Oliver%27s+Advice%22+Cromwell#v=snippet&q=%22Oliver's%20Advice%22%20Cromwell&f=false published under the pseudonym Fitz Stewart in The Dublin University Magazine, December 1834, p. 700; where the quote is attributed to Oliver Cromwell (hence the poem's title). The repeated line in the poem is "Put your trust in God, my boys, but keep your powder dry."
Misattributed

“Put your trust in God, but keep your powder dry.”

Oliver Cromwell (1599–1658) English military and political leader

Attributed by William Blacker (not to be confused with Valentine Blacker), who popularized the quote with his poem "Oliver's Advice" http://books.google.com/books?id=JmEaAQAAIAAJ&dq=%22Oliver%27s+Advice%22+Cromwell&q=%22Oliver%27s+Advice%22+Cromwell#v=snippet&q=%22Oliver's%20Advice%22%20Cromwell&f=false, published under the pseudonym Fitz Stewart in The Dublin University Magazine, December 1834, p. 700; where the attribution to Cromwell appears in a footnote describing a "well-authenticated anecdote" that explains the poem's title. The repeated line in Blacker's poem is "Put your trust in God, my boys, but keep your powder dry".
Attributed
Variant: Trust in God and keep your powder dry.
Variant: Put your trust in God, but keep your powder dry.

“Put your trust in God, my boys, and keep your powder dry!”

Valentine Blacker (1778–1826) British colonial administrator

From the poem "Oliver's Advice" http://books.google.com/books?id=JmEaAQAAIAAJ&dq=%22Oliver%27s+Advice%22+Cromwell&q=%22Oliver%27s+Advice%22+Cromwell#v=snippet&q=%22Oliver's%20Advice%22%20Cromwell&f=false by William Blacker, published under the pseudonym Fitz Stewart in The Dublin University Magazine, December 1834, p. 700. This line by a different Colonel Blacker is paraphrased from an attribution to Oliver Cromwell (hence the poem's title).
Misattributed