Quotes by Christopher Columbus

• Tomorrow morning before we depart, I intend to land and see what can be found in the neighborhood.
• Their houses are all built in the shape of tents, with very high chimneys.
• The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it.
• Stood off and on during the night, determining not to come to anchor till morning, fearing to meet with shoals; continued our course in the morning; and as the island was found to be six or seven leagues distant, and the tide was against us, it was noon when we arrived there.
• Sailed this day nineteen leagues, and determined to count less than the true number, that the crew might not be dismayed if the voyage should prove long.
• 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.
• I saw a boy of the crew purchasing javelins of them with bits of platters and broken glass.
• I am not solicitous to examine particularly everything here, which indeed could not be done in fifty years, because my desire is to make all possible discoveries, and return to your Highnesses, if it please our Lord, in April.
• I found that part of it towards San Salvador extending from north to south five leagues, and the other side which we coasted along, ran from east to west more than ten leagues.
• I ordered each man to be presented with something, as strings of ten or a dozen glass beads apiece, and thongs of leather, all which they estimated highly; those which came on board I directed should be fed with molasses.
• Riches don't make a man rich, they only make him busier.
• For the execution of the voyage to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps.
• 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.
• 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.
• Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.
• By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.
• But in truth, should I meet with gold or spices in great quantity, I shall remain till I collect as much as possible, and for this purpose I am proceeding solely in quest of them.
• 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.
• Gold is a treasure, and he who possesses it does all he wishes to in this world, and succeeds in helping souls into paradise.
• You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of shore.