Who said “It may be the cock that crows, but it is the hen that lays the eggs.”?

Verified

Margaret Thatcher. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceUsed by Thatcher at a private dinner in 1987 (Sunday Times, 1989); the saying itself is an older folk proverb

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“It may be the cock that crows, but it is the hen that lays the eggs.”
— Margaret Thatcher
VerifiedUsed by Thatcher at a private dinner in 1987 (Sunday Times, 1989); the saying itself is an older folk proverb · evidencePower

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Used by Thatcher at a private dinner in 1987 (Sunday Times, 1989); the saying itself is an older folk proverb.

APA

Thatcher, M. (n.d.). It may be the cock that crows, but it is the hen that lays the eggs. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/34023-it-may-be-the-cock-that-crows-but/

MLA

Thatcher, Margaret. “It may be the cock that crows, but it is the hen that lays the eggs.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/34023-it-may-be-the-cock-that-crows-but/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Thatcher, Margaret. “It may be the cock that crows, but it is the hen that lays the eggs.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/34023-it-may-be-the-cock-that-crows-but/.

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