--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The conquest of the earth, which mostly…" description: "\"“The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/319/joseph-conrad-336_nature_the-conquest-of-the-earth-which-mostly-m_1706557.jpg" --- # The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking… ![“The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much. What redeems it is the idea only.” quote by Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/319/joseph-conrad-336_nature_the-conquest-of-the-earth-which-mostly-m_1706557.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/319/joseph-conrad-336_nature_the-conquest-of-the-earth-which-mostly-m_1706557.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/319/joseph-conrad-336_nature_the-conquest-of-the-earth-which-mostly-m_1706557.jpg) > ““The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much. What redeems it is the idea only.”” [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Colonial conquest is driven by racism and greed, yet some cling to the notion that it is justified by progress. **In simple terms:** Colonialism is racist and greedy. Key Takeaway Question the myth of progress. Themes colonialism racism greed morality history Mood critical thought‑provoking Type philosophical political When to use this quote - historical analysis - political debate - education curricula Key Concepts ethics imperialism human rights Questions to Reflect On - How does “progress” justify oppression? - Can true progress exist without exploitation? A Different Perspective Progress can be a cover for exploitation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conquest/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) ## Related quotes > [“The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/the-conquest-of-the-earth-which-mostly-means-the-taking-it-away-from-3/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [“The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/the-conquest-of-the-earth-which-mostly-means-the-taking-it-away-from/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [“They were conquerors, and for that you want only brute force—nothing to boast of, when you have it, since your strength is just an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/they-were-conquerors-and-for-that-you-want-only-brute-force-nothing-2/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [The conquest of the earth... is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much. 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I guess…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/they-don-t-make-morgues-with-windows-in-fact-if-the-geography-allows/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) ## More by Joseph Conrad > [“Hunters for gold or pursuers of fame, they all had gone out on that stream, bearing the sword, and often the torch, messengers of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/hunters-for-gold-or-pursuers-of-fame-they-all-had-gone-out-on-that/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [The good author is he who contemplates without marked joy or excessive sorrow the adventures of his soul amongst criticisms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/the-good-author-is-he-who-contemplates-without-marked-joy-or/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [“Let the earth and the sea each have its own.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/let-the-earth-and-the-sea-each-have-its-own/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [He hated all this, and somehow he couldn't get away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/he-hated-all-this-and-somehow-he-couldn-t-get-away/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [“A fool, what with sheer fright and fine sentiments, is always safe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/a-fool-what-with-sheer-fright-and-fine-sentiments-is-always-safe/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [“The mind of man is capable of anything-because everything is in it, all the past as well as all the future. 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