Benjamin Disraeli

British PM

Modern influential 202 sayings

Sayings by Benjamin Disraeli

I have climbed to the top of the greasy pole.

1868 — Upon becoming Prime Minister for the first time.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I never deny; I never contradict; I sometimes forget.

c. 1870s — In talking with Queen Victoria, cited in William Flavelle Monypenny and George Earle Buckle, The lif…
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The Services in war time are fit only for desperadoes but, in peace, are fit only for fools.

1826 — From his novel 'Vivian Grey'.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

There is no act of treachery or meanness of which a political party is not capable; for in politics there is no honour.

Unknown, likely mid-19th century — General observation on politics.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Man is not the creature of circumstances, circumstances are the creatures of men. We are free agents, and man is more powerful than matter.

Unknown, likely mid-19th century — General philosophical statement.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I hate definitions.

Unknown, likely mid-19th century — General statement.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Yes, I am a Jew, and when the ancestors of the right honourable gentleman were brutal savages in an unknown island, mine were priests in the temple of Solomon.

1835 — Reply to a taunt by Daniel O'Connell in the House of Commons.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

That depends, Sir,' said Disraeli, 'whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.

Unknown, an anecdote from his political career — Retort to a Member of Parliament who said he would 'either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable…
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Most people die with their music still locked up inside them.

Unknown, likely mid-19th century — General philosophical observation.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

My idea of an agreeable person is a person who agrees with me.

Unknown, likely mid-19th century — General humorous observation.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Do not read history. Read biography for it is life without theory.

Unknown, likely mid-19th century — General advice on learning.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The European talks of progress because by the aid of a few scientific discoveries he has established a society which has mistaken comfort for civilisation.

Unknown, likely mid-19th century — General critique of European society.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A canter is the cure for all evil.

Unknown, likely mid-19th century — General statement.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

There are three types of lies -- lies, damn lies, and statistics.

Unknown, widely attributed and popularized by him. — General observation.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The world is governed by very different personages from what is imagined by those who are not behind the scenes.

1844 — From his novel 'Coningsby'.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime; give a man religion and he will die praying for a fish.

Unknown, likely mid-19th century — General observation.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If you don't believe in magic, then you can't believe in reality.

Unknown, likely mid-19th century — General philosophical statement.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Governments do not govern, but merely control the machinery of government, being themselves controlled by the hidden hand.

Unknown, likely mid-19th century — General observation on government.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A female friend, amiable, clever, and devoted, is a possession more valuable than parks and palaces; and without such a muse, few men can succeed in life, none be contented.

Unknown, likely mid-19th century — General observation on companionship.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

TACT is the ability to tell someone to go hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip.

Unknown, an anecdote. — General humorous definition.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable