Leopold II of Belgium quotes - page 2

Small country, small people. (Leopold II of Belgium)
We must put an end to anarchy and its continuing preaching. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
At the moment, neither the Spanish, the Portuguese, nor the Dutch are willing to sell. I intend to discreetly inform myself if in Africa if there is nothing to do. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
I sleep poorly. This long abstinence is destroying me. My nature needs frequent contacts with the beautiful gender. I don't understand how priests can live like this. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
Santo Tomas was based on emigration and was therefore bound to fail, Belgians do not emigrate. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
I'm still working, but we have to start by putting forward a diplomatic arrangement. This point obtained, we would have a good chance of success. For the moment, the Belgian shipping word in China should not be used at any price. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
I believe we must set up three children's colonies, the aim of these colonies is above all to furnish us with soldiers. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
Excuse me, dear niece, for this letter, which is really just a health bulletin. Especially concerned with a health so dear to me, I am almost unable to speak of anything else. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
One aim of the hostilities is a reunification of Catholics under one crown, with the rivers as the northern boundary, to reach that goal we must launch a decisive attack on Amsterdam, depose the king, and at the very least let the people decide which government it prefers. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
You speak of my popularity, but it is out of the question now, and in doing so, my dear Prime Minister, I declare that I will not doubt between my duty and my love: a popularity based on deceiving a country about its true interests would weigh heavily on my conscience and that is a burden that I do not want to bear. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
I will instruct the minister of war to strengthen the Gendarmerie in Brussels, to recognize the addresses and customs of the demagogues and to try to find out what is coming up, I am told that the demonstrations which are only intended as intimidation and as preparation in an unguarded moment are able to turn into something else, once they have everyone on the street they will attack the government, what measure have you taken to face such a surprise attack? Do the regiments have been ordered to march on their own accord to the Rue de la Loi and the Boulvard, where in the summer it is more difficult to summon soldiers, will they be more satisfied now, working in the open air is now impossible, if I were you I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to summon them, the responsibility is too great, you are not protected from an incident, and you will have to face a formidable riot, all yours leopold. (Leopold II of Belgium)
We are going to democratize the chamber and the senate, we also have to democratize the monarchy, give it the opportunity, when it feels the need to obtain direct advice, support from the changing electoral corps. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
It is very curious to see how in China and Morocco the vanquished pay for the costs of the expedition that crushed them. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
We must ensure that it is not too clear that the Association of Congo and the African Association are two different businesses. The public doesn't understand that. It will assume that there are two phases, the first of which is no longer relevant. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
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. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
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. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
The soldiers of the State are necessarily recruited among the natives. They don't immediately shed habits blood thirsty handed down from generation to generation. The example of white officers, discipline military, will inspire them with the horror of human trophies of which they are ready to be proud. It's in their leaders that they must see the living demonstration of this higher principle that the exercise of authority is not to be confused with cruelty: the second ruins the first. I like to think that our agents, almost all volunteers from the ranks of the Belgian army, are always present atmind the rules of the honorary career in which they are engaged. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
I am overwhelmed by your letter yesterday, and I hope with all my heart and for you and for the patriotic work that we are pursuing that you do not persevere in your desire to leave the administration of the Congo. Please come and see me in Brussels on Saturday at a quarter past one. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
If you yield so much as an inch of the Congo, your old King will rise from his grave to blame you. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
He claims all successes and attributes the failures to others, he accepts no more criticism and he demands unquestioning obedience to his commands, his judgment must be the judgment of all, his logic must be that of his co-workers, his conscience must be the conscience of others, he is so accustomed to crushing any opposition or sensitivity in his associates that he dares to ask them anything. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
Papers from Count Jules Greindl, who was the main collaborator of Leopold II in this curious affair, the author has drawn a very precise account, supplemented by documents. To take advantage of the financial ruin of Spain to make the Philippines a kingdom of its own, distinct from Belgium and then to form a company which would exploit the islands in the name of Spain, such were the successive ideas of Leopold. They failed both for lack of capital and for the reaction of Spanish pride. But they show, in Leopold II, the progress of the colonial idea with all the aspects that will then be found in the Congolese affair. When Stanley discovered the Congo, Leopold was ready. (Leopold II of Belgium)
The King is no longer the same; the change of character and spirit observed in him for two or three years is accentuated and makes fear of a catastrophe, at a time when he had only to let it go to be a remarkable King, perhaps to become a large figure. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
Leopold had a very strong personality. His tenacity and stubbornness discouraged not only individuals but also entire governments. Indeed, to serve his prodigious energy, he needed men who could work for him tirelessly and at his own pace. His juvenile and somewhat awkward air disappeared and he soon exercised a singular power of seduction. There are many testimonies of men faced with tasks they considered exorbitant, if not impossible, and who left their desks, boiling with enthusiasm to carry out their plans. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
Every Belgian heart beats in unison with our hearts, and their voices unite with our voices; and there shall echo from one end of Belgium to the other the cries, a thousand times repeated, Vive King Leopold II! Vive the Queen! Vive the royal family! View quote
Leopold II of Belgium
We can say that in terms of town planning - before the letter - he was a precursor. If there is an area where its reputation is guaranteed to survive for a long time to come, this is it. Belgium found itself since the end of his reign at the forefront of architectural movements and we can still see today in the Brussels landscape, and almost everywhere in the country, the mark of the king-builder. View quote
Leopold II of Belgium