Who said “Man is not the creature of circumstances, circumstances are the creatures of men. We are…”?

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Benjamin Disraeli. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceVivian Grey (1826), Book VI, Chapter 7

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“Man is not the creature of circumstances, circumstances are the creatures of men. We are free agents, and man is more powerful than matter.”
— Benjamin Disraeli
VerifiedVivian Grey (1826), Book VI, Chapter 7 · evidenceCircumstance
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Vivian Grey (1826), Book VI, Chapter 7.

APA

Disraeli, B. (n.d.). Man is not the creature of circumstances, circumstances are the creatures of men. We are free agents, and man is more powerful than matter. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/1938-man-is-not-the-creature-of-circumstances-circumstances/

MLA

Disraeli, Benjamin. “Man is not the creature of circumstances, circumstances are the creatures of men. We are free agents, and man is more powerful than matter.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/1938-man-is-not-the-creature-of-circumstances-circumstances/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Disraeli, Benjamin. “Man is not the creature of circumstances, circumstances are the creatures of men. We are free agents, and man is more powerful than matter.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/1938-man-is-not-the-creature-of-circumstances-circumstances/.

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