Books are fatal: they are the curse of the human race. Nine-tenths of existing books are nonsense, and the clever books are the refutation of that nonsense. The greatest misfortune that ever befell man was the invention of printing.

Quote by Benjamin Disraeli

Topics: Books Quotes

What we anticipate seldom occurs: but what we least expect generally happens.

What we anticipate seldom occurs: but what we least expect generally happens.

Time is precious, but truth is more precious than time.

Time is precious, but truth is more precious than time.

The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches...

The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches...

You will find as you grow older that courage is the rarest of all qualities...

You will find as you grow older that courage is the rarest of all qualities...

I have brought myself, by long meditation, to the conviction that a human being with...

I have brought myself, by long meditation, to the conviction that a human being with...

The disappointment of manhood succeeds the delusion of youth.

The disappointment of manhood succeeds the delusion of youth.

Customs may not be as wise as laws, but they are always more popular

Customs may not be as wise as laws, but they are always more popular

Upon the education of the people of this country the fate of this country depends.

Upon the education of the people of this country the fate of this country depends.

Something unpleasant is coming when men are anxious to tell the truth.

Something unpleasant is coming when men are anxious to tell the truth.

Everyone likes flattery; and when you come to Royalty you should lay it on with...

Everyone likes flattery; and when you come to Royalty you should lay it on with...

Things must be done by parties, not by persons using parties as tools.

Things must be done by parties, not by persons using parties as tools.

He is a self-made man, very much in love with his creator.

He is a self-made man, very much in love with his creator.

Diligence is the mother of good fortune.

Diligence is the mother of good fortune.

The most noble criticism is that in which the critic is not the antagonist so...

The most noble criticism is that in which the critic is not the antagonist so...

A consistent soul believes in destiny, a capricious one in chance.

A consistent soul believes in destiny, a capricious one in chance.

Fame and power are the objects of all men. Even their partial fruition is gained...

Fame and power are the objects of all men. Even their partial fruition is gained...

We cannot learn men from books.

We cannot learn men from books.

Assassination has never changed the history of the world.

Assassination has never changed the history of the world.

An author who speaks about their own books is almost as bad as a mother...

An author who speaks about their own books is almost as bad as a mother...

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

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