37 Quotes by Leopold II

India has never cost England one centime. it paid back What it cost. India provides a livelihood for all benjamins of English families.

I do not want to miss a good chance of getting us a slice of this magnificent African cake.

The terms of the treaties Stanley has made with native chiefs do not satisfy me. There must at least be an added article to the effect that they delegate to us their sovereign rights, the treaties must be as brief as possible and in a couple of articles must grant us everything.

The Congo state is certainly not a business, if it gathers ivory on some of it's lands, that is only to lessen its deficits.

Trading posts and colonies, gentlemen, have not only strengthened the commercial positions of the peoples concerned; these nations owe their greatness to these institutions.

To open to civilization the only part of the globe not yet explored, to penetrate the shadows that envelope its entire population; This is, I make bold to say a crusade worthy of this century of progress, and i am happy to note that public opinion is favorable to its undertaking.

Santo Tomas was based on emigration and was therefore bound to fail, Belgians do not emigrate.

The Congo Free State is unique in its kind. It has nothing to hide and no secrets and is not beholden to anyone except its founder.

In the Far East, compulsory labor can work wonders, just like here... If only Belgium wanted to see that. This could create "inexhaustible resources and exploiting the soil and peoples of the Far East can only be brought to civilization and well-being in this way.