Cecil Rhodes quotes

Cecil Rhodes was a British businessman, imperialist, and politician, most famous for his role in southern Africa's colonization. His policies and vision laid the foundation for the establishment of Rhodesia and influenced British imperial policy. He remains a controversial figure, associated with both vast educational philanthropy and the legacy of colonialism. Here are 13 of his quotes:

... you are an Englishman, and have subsequently drawn the greatest prize in the lottery of life.

Cecil Rhodes

Pure philanthropy is very well in its way but philanthropy plus five percent is a good deal better.

Cecil Rhodes

I contend that we are the first race in the world, and that the more of the world we inhabit the better it is for the human race...If there be a God, I think that what he would like me to do is paint as much of the map of Africa British Red as possible...

Cecil Rhodes

In order to save the forty million inhabitants of the United Kingdom from a bloody civil war, our colonial statesmen must acquire new lands for settling the surplus population of this country, to provide new markets. ... The Empire, as I have always said, is a bread and butter question.

Cecil Rhodes

Why should we not form a secret society with but one object, the furtherance of the British Empire and the bringing of the whole world under British rule, for the recovery of the United States, for making the Anglo Saxon race but one Empire? What a dream, but yet it is probable; it is possible.

Cecil Rhodes

So little done, so much to do.

Cecil Rhodes

The real fact is that I could no longer stand their eternal cold mutton.

Cecil Rhodes

Equal rights for all civilized men south of the Zambesi.

Cecil Rhodes

The world is nearly all parcelled out, and what there is left of it is being divided up, conquered and colonised. To think of these stars that you see overhead at night, these vast worlds which we can never reach. I would annex the planets if I could; I often think of that. It makes me sad to see them so clear and yet so far.

Cecil Rhodes

I have found out one thing and that is, if you have an idea, and it is a good idea, if you only stick to it you will come out all right.

Cecil Rhodes

Having read the histories of other countries, I saw that expansion was everything, and that the world's surface being limited, the great object of present humanity should be to take as much of the world as it possibly could.

Cecil Rhodes