“Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.”

— Benjamin Disraeli, Contarini Fleming, 1832, Part 1, Ch. 23

About Benjamin Disraeli

1804 – 1881

British statesman, twice Prime Minister, and novelist.

“I am prepared for the worst, but hope for the best.”

“Patience is a necessary ingredient of genius.”

“Man is not the creature of circumstances, circumstances are the creatures of men.”

“The wise man will live as long as he ought, not as long as he can.”

“In theory there is nothing to hinder our following what we are taught; but in life there are many things to draw us aside.”

“The better part of valour is discretion; in the which better part I have saved my life.”

“So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, so long lives this, and this gives life to thee.”

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”

“Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage.”