When a man fell into his anecdotage, it was a sign for him to retire.

Disraeli’s remark turns on the coined or rare term “anecdotage,” meaning the stage—often associated with old age—when a person increasingly relies on stock stories and reminiscences rather than fresh judgment. The line suggests that when a public figure begins substituting anecdote for argument, policy, or clear thinking, it signals diminished effectiveness and a loss of relevance. In a political context, it is also a warning about vanity and self-mythologizing: repeating one’s past exploits can become a way of avoiding present realities. The implied counsel is pragmatic and unsentimental: recognize decline early and withdraw before authority turns into mere performance.