Top 20 Quotes & Sayings by 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.

Remember that you are an Englishman, and have consequently won first prize in the lottery of life.

We must find new lands from which we can easily obtain raw materials and at the same time exploit the cheap slave labor that is available from the natives of the colonies. The colonies would also provide a dumping ground for the surplus goods produced in our factories.

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.

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.

So little done, so much to do.

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

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

If there be a God, I think he would like me to paint Africa British-Red as possible.

Ask any man what nationality he would prefer to be, and ninety nine out of a hundred will tell you that they would prefer to be Englishmen

When people praise you, don't let it go to your head. When they criticize you, don't let it go to your heart.

Wherever you turn your eye—except in science—an Oxford man is at the top of the tree.

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.

I have too much work on my hands and I would not be a dutiful husband.

I contend that we are the finest race in the world and that the more of the world we inhabit the better it is for the human race. Just fancy those parts that are at present inhabited by the most despicable specimens of human beings what an alteration there would be if they were brought under Anglo-Saxon influence, look again at the extra employment a new country added to our dominions gives.

Africa is still lying ready for us it is our duty to take it. It is our duty to seize every opportunity of acquiring more territory and we should keep this one idea steadily before our eyes that more territory simply means more of the Anglo-Saxon race more of the best the most human, most honorable race the world possesses.

Man begets, but land does not beget.

In order to save the 40,000,000 inhabitants of the United Kingdom from a bloody civil war, we colonial statesmen must acquire new lands to settle the surplus population, to provide new markets. [...] The Empire, as I have always said, is a bread and butter question.

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

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...