“Listen to the yell of Leopold's ghost Burning in Hell for his hand-maimed host, Hear how the demons chuckle and yell Cutting his hands off, down in hell” SlaveryGenocideBelgiumLeopold Ii Of BelgiumThe Congo Book:The Congo and Other Poems Source: The Congo and Other Poems
“I begin my reign with the desire to put myself at the service of all Belgians. I will work for it in perfect agreement with the government and in accordance with the constitution.” BelgiumKing Of Belgium Author:King Philippe of Belgium
“I am a great admirer of Leopold II, although I think that he should be destroyed in the memory of mankind and reduced to the state in which I presented him in my play, namely a dirty goblin who as soon as he does something of any interest must be raised in order to become a fully-fledged human being.” CongoLeopold IiBelgiumCongo Free StateKing Leopold IiBelgian ColonialismBelgian Colonial Empire Author:Hugo Claus
“It was no coincidence that dictated my choice. Peace was definitively signed, the country's political constitution in full force, but Belgium was still looking for its ways in the commercial field. That’s where the point was.” BelgiumFranch German War Author:Auguste Baron Lambermont
“With regard to the industrial and commercial relations that China seeks to create in Europe, and the agents that it would like to recruit there for internal works or its administration, Belgium can offer it resources equal to those of the States of first order. In addition, the country's situation, its essentially peaceful character, precludes any possibility of political conflict.” United StatesEuropeChinaDiplomacyBelgium Author:Auguste Baron Lambermont
“Feelings of humanity and commiseration erupt on their own when we deliberate with our feet in the blood.” SlaveryCongoLeopold IiBelgiumAnti Slavery ConferenceBrussels Anti Slavery Conference Author:Auguste Baron Lambermont
“Never have I had the impression of such a moral and civic downfall. In no country, not even the last of the last, what is happening here would be possible.” CongoLeopold IiBelgiumCongo Free StateBelgian Congo Author:Auguste Baron Lambermont
“There is no such thing as exclusively national thinking. The work intended to benefit science and humanity necessarily interests everyone, but Belgium and its Sovereign will indirectly derive honor and great moral benefit from it; in this sense, there is a truly and usefully Belgian thought. We do not have a view of colonial acquisition, but over time trade will undoubtedly find its value there as well.” DiplomacyBelgiumBelgian Diplomacy Author:Auguste Baron Lambermont
“It is the King who supports the State from his pocket, to challenge the State for the products of his estates is to force the King from his pocket to cover deficits, a good part of which will come from the free abandonment of the land. 'exploitation of State estates to commercial houses to fatten them on a voluntary basis, houses which not only do nothing for the progress of civilization but which have delayed it with all their might and would like to delay it further in order to be States, tyrants in the State.” CongoLeopold IiBelgiumCongo Free StateIndependant State Of The Congo Author:Edmund Van Eetvelde
“I want to show those who are going to peddle that I am the man of all jobs, that at least I am not, just to keep my place. And I hold it all the more so as I can put up with the current boycott, a few months, but that I could not bend my life to it forever.” CongoLeopold IiBelgium Author:Edmund Van Eetvelde