Prominent 19th-century British statesman and novelist Benjamin Disraeli frequently used colorful language to convey difficult concepts. One of his well-known quotes considers the nature of legal and governmental precedents. He emphasized how long-standing customs or judgments can solidify into inflexible ideas that are challenging to alter.

Consider a precedent as a piece of old wood that has been preserved by embalming, hardening and becoming rigid over time. Similar to this wood, an idea's historical significance and broad acceptance make it difficult to change or adapt once it has been established as a legal or customary precedent. Because people are reluctant to question long-standing norms, this rigidity can impede advancement and creativity.

Disraeli argued that although precedents are crucial for maintaining consistency and stability in laws and governance, they can also work against necessary advancements or modifications. Legal and societal precedents occasionally need to be reevaluated to meet modern needs, much like an ancient artifact that has been preserved flawlessly but cannot be modified for modern use.

Disraeli frequently examined issues of tradition versus progress because he was a writer and politician with a deep interest in the workings of power and government. His comprehension of human nature and the intricacies of society's development is reflected in his understanding of how past choices can permanently freeze principles.