In settling an island, the first building erected by a Spaniard will be a church, by a Frenchman a fort, by a Dutchman a warehouse, and by an Englishman an alehouse.

The misfortune of the man of color is having been enslaved. The misfortune and inhumanity of the white man are having killed man somewhere.

Do not do unto others as you would that they should do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same.

Africa has her mysteries, and even a wise man cannot understand them. But a wise man respects them.

Other nations use “force”; we Britons alone use “might.”

I have said this before, but I shall say it again and again and again: your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.

The noblest kind of retribution is not to become like your enemy.

Such then is the human state, that to wish greatness for one’s country is to wish harm to one’s neighbors.

The less intelligent the white man is, the more stupid he thinks the black.

Some of us would be greatly astonished to learn the reasons why others respect us.

Nothing is more narrow-minded than chauvinism or racial hatred. To me all men are equal; there are flatheads everywhere and I despise them all equally.

Of troubles none is greater than to be robbed of one’s native land.

To think ill of mankind, and not wish ill to them, is perhaps the highest wisdom and virtue.