Who said “The art of governing mankind by deceiving them.”?

Misattributed

Not Benjamin Disraeli. It's commonly credited to them, but the evidence shows it isn't theirs.

What the research foundListed as misattributed to Benjamin Disraeli; no source in their known works.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

APA

“The art of governing mankind by deceiving them.” [Quotation attributed to Benjamin Disraeli]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/32957-the-art-of-governing-mankind-by-deceiving-them/

MLA

“The art of governing mankind by deceiving them.” Attributed to Benjamin Disraeli. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/32957-the-art-of-governing-mankind-by-deceiving-them/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“The art of governing mankind by deceiving them.” Attributed to Benjamin Disraeli. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/32957-the-art-of-governing-mankind-by-deceiving-them/.