When will Labour learn that you cannot build Jerusalem in Brussels.
Europe was created by history. America was created by philosophy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote contrasts the creation of Europe as a result of historical events and America as a product of philosophical ideals.
Margaret Thatcher's quote emphasizes the distinction between the development of Europe, which has been shaped by its rich and complex history, and America, which was founded on Enlightenment ideals and philosophical concepts of freedom and democracy. This highlights the influence of cultural and intellectual heritage in shaping societies and suggests that the foundational principles can have a profound impact on the character and identity of a nation.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about national values, one might reference this quote to illustrate differing roots of European and American cultures.
More from Margaret Thatcher
All quotes βNever in the history of human credit has so much been owed.
The battle for women's rights has been largely won.
Ought we not to ask the media to agree among themselves a voluntary code of conduct, under which they would not say or show anything which could assist the terrorists' morale or their cause while the hijack lasted.
Israel must never be expected to jeopardize her security: if she was ever foolish enough to do so, and then suffered for it, the backlash against both honest brokers and Palestinians would be immense - 'land for peace' must also bring peace.
If it's me against 48, I feel sorry for the 48.
Similar quotes
As a historian, I'm sceptical about conspiracy theories because the world is far too complicated to be managed by a few billionaires drinking scotch behind some closed doors. But I do think that the voters are correct in sensing that they're really losing power. And in reaction, they give the system an angry kick.
If you see your path laid out in front of you - Step one, Step two, Step three - you only know one thing . . . it is not your path. Your path is created in the moment of action. If you can see it laid out in front of you, you can be sure it is someone else's path. That is why you see it so clearly.
We are the makers of our own lives. There is no such thing as fate. Our lives are the result of our previous actions, our karma, and it naturally flows that, having been ourselves the makers of our karma, we must also be able to unmake it.
Enlarge my life with multitude of days, In health, in sickness, thus the suppliant prays; Hides from himself his state, and shuns to know, That life protracted is protracted woe. Time hovers o'er, impatient to destroy, And shuts up all the passages of joy.
It is psychologically very hard to go through life without the justification, and the hope, provided by religion.
'Beauty is truth, truth beauty,' - that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.