35 Quotes by Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus, a daring and ambitious explorer, holds a place in history as the figure responsible for initiating European contact with the Americas. Hailing from Genoa, Italy, Columbus embarked on his epochal journey in 1492, seeking a western route to Asia but instead encountered the Caribbean islands and the coasts of Central and South America. His explorations, though historically significant, also brought forth complex legacies.
While Columbus's voyages led to an era of exploration and exchange between the Old World and the New World, they also marked the beginning of European colonization and the displacement and mistreatment of indigenous populations. Over the years, debates have arisen about how to interpret Columbus's actions and his impact on history. Some view him as a daring pioneer, while others criticize his actions and question the romanticized narrative surrounding his achievements. As we reflect on Christopher Columbus and his voyages, it is essential to approach history with nuance and recognize the multifaceted impacts of exploration and colonialism on different cultures and societies.
Christopher Columbus Quotes
By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.
Life has more imagination than We carry in our dreams.
One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time. Variants include "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore".
It was the Lord who put into my mind that fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me. There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit, because He comforted me with rays of marvelous inspiration from the Holy Scriptures.
Nothing that results in human progress is achieved with unanimous consent. Those that are enlightened before the others are condemned to pursue that light in spite of the others.
It is easy to discover what another has discovered before.
Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.
Riches don't make a man rich, they only make him busier.
These people are very unskilled in arms with 50 men they could all be subjected and made to do all that one wished.
For the execution of the voyage to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps.
Gold is the most precious of all commodities; gold constitutes treasure, and he who possesses it has all he needs in the world, as also the means of rescuing souls from purgatory, and restoring them to the enjoyment of paradise.
No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Saviour, if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service.
Gold is a treasure, and he who possesses it does all he wishes to in this world, and succeeds in helping souls into paradise.
With gold a man can do anything. It even sends souls to paradise.
I'm telling you that India is that way, now set my course.
Your Highnesses have an Other World here, by which our holy faith can be so greatly advanced and from which such great wealth can be drawn.
It is hoped that by God's assistance, some of the continents in the Ocean will be discovered ... for the Glory of God.
The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it.
A hundred castellanoes are as easily obtained for a woman as for a farm, and it is very general and there are plenty of dealers who go about looking for girls; those from nine to ten (years old) are now in demand.
It is true that after they have been reassured and have lost this fear, they are so artless and so free with all they possess, that no one would believe it without having seen it. Of anything they have, if you ask them for it, they never say no; rather they invite the person to share it, and show as much love as if they were giving their hearts.
Tomorrow morning before we depart, I intend to land and see what can be found in the neighborhood.
Thus the eternal God, our Lord, gives victory to those who follow His way over apparent impossibilities.
I came to serve you at the age of 28 and now I have not a hair on me that is not white, and my body is infirm and exhausted. All that was left to me and my brothers has been taken away and sold, even to the cloak that I wore, without hearing or trial, to my great dishonor.
After having dispatched a meal, I went ashore, and found no habitation save a single house, and that without an occupant; we had no doubt that the people had fled in terror at our approach, as the house was completely furnished.
Thanks be to God, the air is soft as in April in Seville, and it is a pleasure to be in it, so fragrant it is.
The two Christians met on the way many people who were going to their towns, women and men, with a firebrand in the hand, herbs to drink the smoke thereof, as they are accustomed.
He who has gold makes and accomplishes whatever he wishes in the world and finally uses it to send souls to paradise.
And they know neither sect nor idolatry, with the exception that all believe that the source of all power and goodness is in the sky, and they believe very firmly that I, with these ships and people, came from the sky, and in this belief they everywhere received me, after they had overcome their fear.
Here the people could stand it no longer and complained of the long voyage; but the Admiral cheered them as best he could, holding out good hope of the advantages they would have. He added that it was useless to complain, he had come [to go] to the Indies, and so had to continue it until he found them, with the help of Our Lord.
I have always read that the world, both land and water, was spherical, as the authority and researches of Ptolemy and all the others who have written on this subject demonstrate and prove, as do the eclipses of the moon and other experiments that are made from east to west, and the elevation of the North Star from north to south.
And your Highnesses, as Catholic Christians and Princes, devoted to the holy Christian faith and the propagation thereof - and enemies of the sect of Mohammet and of all idolatries and heresies, resolved to send me, Christopher Columbus, to the said
Their houses are all built in the shape of tents, with very high chimneys.
For this purpose I determined to keep an account of the voyage, and to write down punctually every thing we performed or saw from day to day, as will hereafter appear.
An old man came on board my boat; the others, both men and women cried with loud voices: "Come and see the men who have come from the sky. Bring them victuals and drink."
The crew of the caravel "Nina" also saw signs of land, and a small branch covered with berries. Everyone breathed afresh and rejoiced at these signs.
3 is prime, 5 is prime, 7 is prime. According to some ancient manuscripts 9 is not a prime number, but beyond the distant horizon of the oceans, in the New World that I am going to discover, there are surely lots of them.
The Admiral says that he never beheld so fair a thing: trees all along the river, beautiful and green, and different from ours, with flowers and fruits each according to their kind, many birds and little birds which sing very sweetly.
― Christopher Columbus Quotes
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
