Christopher Columbus Quotes

39+ Christopher Columbus Quotes

Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, has left behind various quotes that reflect his mindset, beliefs, and experiences.

Here are some characteristics often associated with Christopher Columbus quotes:

  1. Exploration and Adventure: Columbus was driven by a desire to explore the world and discover new lands. His quotes often express a sense of curiosity, wonder, and the excitement of embarking on unknown journeys.

Example Quote: “Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.”

  1. Determination and Perseverance: Columbus faced numerous challenges during his voyages, including resistance from his crew and the physical hardships of long journeys. His quotes reflect his determination to overcome obstacles and achieve his goals.

Example Quote: “By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.”

  1. Faith and Spirituality: Columbus was a deeply religious man and believed that his voyages were part of a divine plan. His quotes often reference God, providence, and the religious significance he associated with his discoveries.

Example Quote: “It was the Lord who put into my mind the 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.”

  1. Colonial and Imperialistic Attitudes: Columbus’s expeditions had lasting impacts on the history of colonization and imperialism. Some of his quotes reflect a mindset that was rooted in the dominant European perspective of the time, with a sense of superiority and entitlement towards the lands and peoples he encountered.

Example Quote: “I know that they [the Indigenous people] are a people who can be made free and converted to our Holy Faith more by love than by force.”

  1. Controversy and Criticism: Columbus’s legacy is a subject of debate and criticism, particularly regarding his treatment of indigenous peoples and the consequences of European colonization. Some quotes by Columbus may evoke controversy and spark discussions about the ethical implications of his actions.

Example Quote: “They [the Indigenous people] would make fine servants… With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.”

It’s important to note that while Christopher Columbus is celebrated for his historical significance as an explorer, his quotes should be understood in the context of his time and the prevailing attitudes of that era.

Moreover, the practice of attributing quotes to specific individuals from that era can be challenging due to limited historical documentation.

Furthermore, many quotes attributed to Columbus are either misattributed or cannot be reliably traced back to him.

Christopher Columbus Quotes

Christopher Columbus Quotes

Here are some quotes attributed to Christopher Columbus:

  1. “By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.”
  2. “Gold is a treasure, and he who possesses it does all he wishes to in this world.”
  3. “I am a most noteworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely.”
  4. “Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.”
  5. “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.”
  6. “It is easy to discover what another has discovered before.”
  7. “It is the one who has done nothing who is sure to criticize.”
  8. “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.”
  9. “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.”
  10. “I hope that by God’s grace, with diligence and with great pleasure, I shall prepare, by going to the said Indies, to accomplish what you have asked of me.”

Please note that the authenticity of some of these quotes attributed to Christopher Columbus is debated, as historical records may have been altered or misattributed over time.

Famous Christopher Columbus Quotes

Famous Christopher Columbus Quotes

Here are some quotes attributed to Christopher Columbus:

  1. “Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.”
  2. “By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.”
  3. “It was the Lord who put into my mind the 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.”
  4. “I know that they [the Indigenous people] are a people who can be made free and converted to our Holy Faith more by love than by force.”
  5. “They [the Indigenous people] would make fine servants… With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.”
  6. “Gold is the most precious of all commodities; gold constitutes treasure, and he who possesses it has all he needs in the world.”
  7. “Each day we understand better what God has willed in creation.”
  8. “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 anyone has gone.”
  9. “No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Savior, if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service.”
  10. “I went to sea from the most tender age and have continued in a sea life to this day. Whoever gives himself up to this art wants to know the secrets of Nature here below. It is more important to me to be a good navigator than anything else.”

Please note that while these quotes are often attributed to Christopher Columbus, the authenticity of some of them has been debated.

Popular Christopher Columbus Quotes

Most Popular Christopher Columbus Quotes

Most Popular Christopher Columbus Quotes:

  1. “By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.”
  2. “Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.”
  3. “You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
  4. “Gold is a treasure, and he who possesses it does all he wishes to in this world.”
  5. “Riches don’t make a man rich, they only make him busier.”
  6. “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.”
  7. “Aim for the highest, and you’ll never shoot too low.”
  8. For the execution of the voyage to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps.
  9. “Following the light of the sun, we left behind the old world.”
  10. “It is easy to discover what another has discovered before.”
  11. “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.”
  12. “Gold is most excellent; gold constitutes treasure; and he who has it does all he wants in the world, and can even lift souls up to Paradise.”
  13. “Each one should desire to be employed in that service to which he feels himself called.”
  14. “Sailed this day, sailing and wind as yesterday.”
  15. “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 anyone has gone.”
  16. “I have come to believe that this is a mighty continent which was hitherto unknown.”
  17. “It appears that our Lord desires to perform a new miracle.”
  18. “Tomorrow morning, God willing, I will start to navigate the Ocean Sea.”
  19. “I will lay before you the manner in which I shall proceed, so that you may approve of it and that I may be certain of acting in accordance with your wishes.”
  20. “I will not reason or consider whether the Indies are inhabited by people subject to the King of Spain, for I already know that they are.”

Please keep in mind that the accuracy and authenticity of these quotes can vary. Christopher Columbus’ historical legacy is a subject of debate, and his actions have had significant consequences, both positive and negative.

Conclusion – Christopher Columbus Quotes

Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer and navigator, is known for his voyages across the Atlantic Ocean in the late 15th century.

He is often credited with opening the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas.

However, it is important to note that Columbus’s actions and quotes are controversial, and his treatment of indigenous peoples and his role in colonization have been heavily criticized.

With that in mind, here are some characteristics of Christopher Columbus’s quotes:

  • Exploration and Discovery: Columbus was driven by a desire to explore and discover new lands. Many of his quotes reflect his fascination with the unknown and his eagerness to reach uncharted territories.
  • Ambition and Determination: Columbus was highly ambitious and determined to find a new route to Asia. His quotes often express his determination to navigate the seas and his belief in the potential riches and glory that awaited him.
  • Faith and Religion: Columbus was deeply religious, and his quotes frequently mention his faith in God and his belief that his voyages were part of a divine mission. He saw himself as an instrument of God’s will in bringing Christianity to the lands he encountered.
  • Ethnocentrism: Some of Columbus’s quotes reveal a sense of cultural superiority and ethnocentrism. He often referred to the indigenous peoples he encountered as “savages” and believed that it was his duty to convert them to Christianity and bring them under European control.
  • Misconceptions and Exaggerations: Columbus’s quotes sometimes contain misconceptions and exaggerations about the lands he discovered. For example, he mistakenly believed that he had reached Asia and referred to the indigenous peoples as “Indians.”
  • Controversial Views: Columbus’s quotes can be controversial due to their association with the negative consequences of colonization. His words often downplayed the humanity and rights of the indigenous populations, which has led to criticism and debate about his legacy.

It is important to approach Christopher Columbus’s quotes with a critical lens and consider the historical context and the perspectives of the indigenous peoples impacted by his actions.

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