"The very phrase 'foreign affairs' makes an Englishman convinced that I am about to treat of subjects with which he has no concern"

This quote by Benjamin Disraeli speaks to the attitude of lots of English people in the 19th century towards foreign affairs. Disraeli is suggesting that the phrase 'foreign affairs' is enough to make an Englishman think that the topic is not pertinent to them. This suggests that the English people of the time had a strong sense of national identity and were not particularly thinking about the affairs of other nations. This attitude was most likely due to the reality that England was an effective nation and had a strong sense of supremacy over other nations. This quote likewise talks to the idea that the English individuals of the 19th century were not especially open to new ideas or point of views from other countries. They were content with their own lifestyle and did not feel the requirement to gain from other cultures. This quote is a reflection of the mindsets of the English people of the time and acts as a tip of how far we have actually can be found in regards to our openness to other cultures and point of views.