13 Benjamin Disraeli Quotes on Ethics

Benjamin Disraeli quotes on ethics

21. Sir, I say that justice is truth in action.

27. He seems to think that posterity is a pack-horse, always ready to be loaded.

32. What is the question now placed before society with the glib assurance which to me is most astonishing? That question is this: Is man an ape or an angel? I, my lord, I am on the side of the angels. I repudiate with indignation and abhorrence those new fangled theories.

45. Apologies only account for that which they do not alter.

54. An author who speaks about his own books is almost as bad as a mother who talks about her own children.

58. The danger at such a moment is that designing politicians may take advantage of such sublime sentiments and may apply them for the furtherance of their sinister ends. I do not think there is any language which can denounce too strongly conduct of this description. He who at such a moment would avail himself of such a commanding sentiment in order to obtain his own individual ends, suggesting a course which he may know to be injurious to the interests of the country, and not favourable to the welfare of mankind, is a man whose conduct no language can too strongly condemn. He outrages the principle of patriotism, which is the soul of free communities. He does more-he influences in the most injurious manner the common welfare of humanity. Such conduct, if it be pursued by any man at this moment, ought to be indignantly reprobated by the people of England; for, in the general havoc and ruin which it may bring about, it may, I think, be fairly described as worse than any of those Bulgarian atrocities which now occupy attention.

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

112. When men are pure, laws are useless; when men are corrupt, laws are broken.

139. Property has its duties as well as its rights.

     Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.

150. Duty cannot exist without faith.

207. Moderation is the centre wherein all philosophies, both human and divine, meet.

244. Candour is the brightest gem of criticism.

     Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.

251. Plagiarists, at least, have the merit of preservation.