Christopher Columbus quotes

Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer and navigator, famous for his voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. His expeditions opened the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas. He became a controversial figure due to the lasting impact of his discoveries on indigenous peoples. Here are 53 of his quotes:

You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore. (Christopher Columbus)
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. View quote
Christopher Columbus
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. View quote
Christopher Columbus
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. View quote
Christopher Columbus
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. View quote
Christopher Columbus
The world is round. View quote
Christopher Columbus
Thanks be to God,' says the Admiral, 'the air is soft as in April in Seville, and it is a pleasure to be in it, so fragrant it is. View quote
Christopher Columbus
Weep for me, whoever has charity, truth and justice I did not come on this voyage for gain, honor or wealth, that is certain for then the hope of all such things was dead. I came to Your Highnesses with honest purpose and sincere zeal and I do not lie. I humbly beseech Your Highnesses that, if it please God to remove me hence, you will help me to go to Rome and on other pilgrimages. View quote
Christopher Columbus
I have come to believe that this is a mighty continent which was hitherto unknown. I am greatly supported in this view by reason of this great river Ozama, and by this sea which is fresh. View quote
Christopher Columbus
Of this voyage, I observe,' says the Admiral, 'that it has miraculously been shown, as may be understood by this writing, by the many signal miracles that He has shown on the voyage, and for me, who for so great a time was in the court of Your Highnesses with the opposition and against the opinion of so many high personages of your household, who were all against me, alleging this undertaking to be folly, which I hope in Our Lord will be to the greater glory of Christianity, which to some slight extent already has happened. View quote
Christopher Columbus
The tempest was terrible and separated me from my other vessels that night, putting every one of them in desperate straits, with nothing to look forward to but death. Each was certain the others had been destroyed. What man ever born, not excepting Job, who would not have died of despair, when in such weather seeking safety for my son, my brother, shipmates, and myself, we were forbidden access to the land and the harbors which I, by God's will and sweating blood, had won for Spain. (Christopher Columbus)
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. View quote
Christopher Columbus
By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination. View quote
Christopher Columbus
These people are very unskilled in arms... with 50 men they could all be subjected and made to do all that one wished. View quote
Christopher Columbus
I am a most noteworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely. I have found the sweetest consolation since I made it my whole purpose to enjoy His marvellous Presence. View quote
Christopher Columbus
Gold is a treasure, and he who possesses it does all he wishes to in this world, and succeeds in helping souls into paradise. View quote
Christopher Columbus
The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it. View quote
Christopher Columbus
I should not proceed by land to the East, as is customary, but by a Westerly route, in which direction we have hitherto no certain evidence that any one has gone. View quote
Christopher Columbus
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. View quote
Christopher Columbus
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. View quote
Christopher Columbus
And I say that Your Highnesses ought not to consent that any foreigner does business or sets foot here, except Christian Catholics, since this was the end and the beginning of the enterprise, that it should be for the enhancement and glory of the Christian religion, nor should anyone who is not a good Christian come to these parts. (Christopher Columbus)
When there are such lands there should be profitable things without number. View quote
Christopher Columbus
The Admiral ordered the lord to be given some things, and he and all his folk rested in great contentment, believing truly that they had come from the sky, and to see the Christians they held themselves very fortunate. View quote
Christopher Columbus
Riches don't make a man rich, they only make him busier. View quote
Christopher Columbus
I saw a boy of the crew purchasing javelins of them with bits of platters and broken glass. View quote
Christopher Columbus