We lost the American colonies because we lacked the statesmanship to know the right time and the manner of yielding what is impossible to keep.
QUEEN ELIZABETH III know of no single formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together.
More Queen Elizabeth II Quotes
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[To a woman whose cellphone rang during a formal meeting:] You’d better answer that. It could be someone important.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II -
There are long periods when life seems a small, dull round, a petty business with no point, and then suddenly we are caught up in some great event which gives us a glimpse of the solid and durable foundations of our existence.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II -
I cannot lead you into battle. I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else.
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At Christmas, I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child.
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I can give my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.
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The Christmas message shows us that this love is for everyone. There is no one beyond its reach.
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In remembering the appalling suffering of war on both sides, we recognise how precious is the peace we have built in Europe since 1945.
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The British Constitution has always been puzzling and always will be.
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Work is the rent you pay for the room you occupy on earth.
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It has turned out to be an annus horribilis.
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I myself prefer my New Zealand eggs for breakfast.
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The lessons from the peace process are clear; whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load.
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[To the suggestion that Great Britain might someday want a Republic:] We’ll go quietly.
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The world is not the most pleasant place. Eventually, your parents leave you and nobody is going to go out of their way to protect you unconditionally.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II -
When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II -
It is easy enough to define what the Commonwealth is not. Indeed this is quite a popular pastime.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II -
I know of no single formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II -
True patriotism doesn’t exclude an understanding of the patriotism of others.
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To all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy. With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II -
Good memories are our second chance at happiness.
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We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock.
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The upward course of a nation’s history is due in the long run to the soundness of heart of its average men and women.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II -
1992 is not a year I shall look back on with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it hasturned out to be an Annus Horribilis.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II -
For me, heaven is likely to be a bit of a come-down.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II -
Think what we would have missed if we had never … used a mobile phone or surfed the Net — or, to be honest, listened to other people talking about surfing the Net.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II -
Grief is the price we pay for love.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II