The White Man's Burden Sacrifice Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Line)

Quote #1

Go bind your sons to exile (3)

Being "bound" to "exile" is a pretty dramatic way to "help" others. Still, that's exactly how the speaker conceives of the White Man's burden. In this figurative description, the white men are tied up and taken from their home—talk about a sacrifice.

Quote #2

Watch sloth and heathen Folly
Bring all your hopes to nought. (24)

So what's the big payoff for this sacrifice? Well, it's seeing all your hard work go right down the toilet. That's hardly an encouraging sales pitch. It seems like the speaker is pushing other benefits to the sacrifices he's asking white men to make.

Quote #3

The ports ye shall not enter,
The roads ye shall not tread,
Go mark them with your living,
And mark them with your dead. (29-32)

These white men won't get to enjoy any of the things they helped to build while in exile, like ports or roads—that is, unless they can wander around them in ghost form. Apparently, there's a good chance that they'll die over there, which would be the ultimate sacrifice.