All the King's Men' A search for the colonial ideas of some advisers and "accomplices" of Leopold II (1853-1892). (Hannes Vanhauwaert), 6. Baron Auguste Lambermont (1819-1905), A key figure in the background of early Belgian colonialism Leopold II in a key letter to Baron Lambermont after the failed colonial efforts in the Philippines and Tonkin, On August 22, 1875. AMBuZa. Papiers Lambermont, volume V, section 9, Leopold II to Baron Lambermont, August 22, 1875. For publication and photographic reproduction: ROEYKENS, A. Les débuts de l'œuvre africaine de Léopold II, 1875-1879, 95-96.
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At the moment, neither the Spanish, the Portuguese, nor the Dutch are willing to sell. I intend to discreetly inform myself if in Africa if there is nothing to do.

— Leopold II of Belgium

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "At the moment, neither the Spanish, the Portuguese, nor the Dutch are willing to sell. I intend to discreetly inform myself if in Africa if there is nothing to do." in the context of "All the King's Men' A search for the colonial ideas of some advisers and "accomplices" of Leopold II (1853-1892). (Hannes Vanhauwaert), 6. Baron Auguste Lambermont (1819-1905), A key figure in the background of early Belgian colonialism Leopold II in a key letter to Baron Lambermont after the failed colonial efforts in the Philippines and Tonkin, On August 22, 1875. AMBuZa. Papiers Lambermont, volume V, section 9, Leopold II to Baron Lambermont, August 22, 1875. For publication and photographic reproduction: ROEYKENS, A. Les débuts de l'œuvre africaine de Léopold II, 1875-1879, 95-96." to mean that wisdom is timeless.

Source: Wikiquote: "Leopold II of Belgium" (Quotes related to the Belgian Colonial Empire) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Leopold II of Belgium

About Leopold II of Belgium

Leopold Lodewijk Philip Maria Victor (Brussels, April 9, 1835 – Laeken, December 17, 1909), Prince of Belgium, Duke of Saxony, Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duke of Brabant and Senator of Belgium, was the second King of the Belgians. He was the second but eldest surviving son of Belgium's first king Leopold I of Belgium and Queen Louise Marie of Orléans. He succeeded his father to the throne on December 17, 1865 and remained king until his death in 1909. Leopold II was also the founder and King sovereign of the Congo Free State, which he obtained through the Berlin Conference.