Benjamin Disraeli

British PM

Modern influential 202 sayings

Sayings by Benjamin Disraeli

You know, all is development. The principle is perpetually going on.

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

When a man fell into his anecdotage it was a sign for him to retire from the world.

Unknown — General observation.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Nobody is forgotten, when it is convenient to remember him.

1870 — Letter to Lord Stanhope.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The difference of race is one of the reasons why I fear war may always exist; because race implies difference, difference implies superiority, and superiority leads to predominance.

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

Mr Speaker, I withdraw my statement that half the cabinet are asses - half the cabinet are not asses.

Unknown, an anecdote. — Retraction in the House of Commons.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

His Christianity was muscular.

Unknown, an anecdote. — Description of someone's religious observance.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Never complain and never explain.

Unknown, popularized by him. — General advice on conduct.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The praise of a fool is incense to the wisest of us.

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

What Art was to the ancient world, Science is to the modern; the distinctive faculty. In the minds of men, the useful has succeeded to the beautiful.

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

Almost everything that is great has been done by youth.

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

The fruit of my tree of knowledge is plucked, and it is this: “Adventures are to the adventurous.”

1847 — From his novel 'Ixion in Heaven'.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Youth is a blunder; manhood a struggle; old age a regret.

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

In a progressive country change is constant; change is inevitable.

1867 — Speech at Edinburgh.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Increased means and increased leisure are the two civilizers of man.

1872 — Speech at Manchester.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Man is only truly great when he acts from the passions.

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

The world is a wheel, and it will all come round right.

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

We make our own fortune and call it destiny.

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

We can know nothing of humankind without knowing something of ourselves. Self-knowledge is the property of those people whose passions have their full play, but who ponder over their results.

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

The essence of education is the education of the body.

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

Teach us that wealth is not elegance, that profusion is not magnificence, that splendor is not beauty.

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