The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the takingit away from those who have a different complexion or slightlyflatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you lookinto it too much. What redeems it is the idea only. An idea at theback of it; not a sentimental pretence but an idea; and anunselfish belief in the idea–something you can set up, and bow downbefore, and offer a sacrifice to… . Joseph Conrad
About This Quote

Mark Twain was speaking about the racial prejudices that people had in the early 1900s. Although, at first glance, it may seem like he is degrading the actions of those who were abusing other races, he is actually speaking out against the actions of those who were abusing their own race. It takes a lot of courage to fight against one’s own kind. It takes even more courage to stand up for what is right, even though that person may be an outcast among his or her own kind.

Source: Heart Of Darkness

Some Similar Quotes
  1. If somebody says 'I love you' to me, I feel as though I had a pistol pointed at my head. What can anybody reply under such conditions but that which the pistol holder requires? 'I love you, too'. - Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
  2. Physical love is unthinkable without violence. - Milan Kundera
  3. Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction. - Ernst F. Schumacher
  4. Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but, above all, thou shalt not be a bystander. - Yehuda Bauer
  5. We often think of peace as the absence of war, that if powerful countries would reduce their weapon arsenals, we could have peace. But if we look deeply into the weapons, we see our own minds- our own prejudices, fears and ignorance. Even if we... - Thich Nhat Hanh
More Quotes By Joseph Conrad
  1. Droll thing life is -- that mysterious arrangement of merciless logic for a futile purpose. The most you can hope from it is some knowledge of yourself -- that comes too late -- a crop of inextinguishable regrets.
  2. Few men realize that their life, the very essence of their character, their capabilities and their audacities, are only the expression of their belief in the safety of their surroundings.
  3. My task, which I am trying to achieve is, by the power of the written word, to make you hear, to make you feel--it is, before all, to make you see.
  4. Facing it, always facing it, that’s the way to get through. Face it.
  5. Perhaps life is just that... a dream and a fear
Related Topics