Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer and colonizer who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that opened the New World for conquest and permanent European colonization of the Americas. Profoundly inspirational Christopher Columbus quotes will challenge the way you think, and help guide you through any life experience.
Famous Christopher Columbus Quotes
By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination. Christopher Columbus
I’m telling you that India is that way, now set my course. Christopher Columbus
Riches don’t make a man rich, they only make him busier. 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. Christopher Columbus
For the execution of the voyage to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps. 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. Christopher Columbus
The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it. Christopher Columbus
Oh, what a gracious Lord, who desires that people should perform for Him those things for which He holds Himself responsible! Day and night, moment by moment, everyone should express their most devoted gratitude to Him. Christopher Columbus
Tomorrow morning before we depart, I intend to land and see what can be found in the neighborhood. Christopher Columbus
The working out of all things has been assigned to each person by our Lord, but it all happens according to His sovereign will, even though He gives advice. Christopher Columbus
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. Christopher Columbus
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. Christopher Columbus
I believe that there are many herbs and many trees that are worth much in Europe for dyes and for medicines; but I do not know, and this causes me great sorrow. Arriving at this cape, I found the smell of the trees and flowers so delicious that it seemed the pleasantest thing in the world. Christopher Columbus
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. Christopher Columbus
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. Christopher Columbus
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. Christopher Columbus
There are trees of a thousand sorts, and all have their several fruits; and I feel the most unhappy man in the world not to know them, for I am well assured that they are all valuable. I bring home specimens of them, and also of the land. Christopher Columbus
My desire was not to pass any island without taking possession, so that, one having been taken, the same may be said of all. Christopher Columbus
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. Christopher Columbus
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. Christopher Columbus
I saw a boy of the crew purchasing javelins of them with bits of platters and broken glass. Christopher Columbus
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. 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. 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. 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. Christopher Columbus
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. Christopher Columbus
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. 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. Christopher Columbus
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. Christopher Columbus
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. Christopher Columbus
Their houses are all built in the shape of tents, with very high chimneys. Christopher Columbus
Thus God gives victory to those who follow His way over apparent impossibilities. Christopher Columbus
Each day we understand better what the Indians say, and they us, so that very often we are intelligible to each other. Christopher Columbus
Life has more imagination than we carry in our dreams. Christopher Columbus
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. Christopher Columbus
Life has more imagination than we carry in our dreams. Christopher Columbus
I have come to believe that this is a mighty continent which was hitherto unknown. Christopher Columbus
It is easy to discover what another has discovered before. Christopher Columbus
As soon as I arrived in the Indies, in the first island which I found, I took some of the natives by force, in order that they might learn and might give me information of whatever there is in these parts. And so it was that they soon understood us, and we them, either by speech or by signs, and they have been very serviceable. Christopher Columbus
The sea will grant each man new hope, and sleep will bring dreams of home. Christopher Columbus
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. Christopher Columbus
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. Christopher Columbus
My desire was not to pass any island without taking possession, so that, one having been taken, the same may be said of all. Christopher Columbus
I went to sea from the most tender age and have continued in sea life to this day. Wherever anyone has sailed, there I have sailed. Christopher Columbus
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. Christopher Columbus
One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time. Christopher Columbus
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. Christopher Columbus
Goals are simply tools to focus your energy in positive directions, these can be changed as your priorities change, new one added, and others dropped. Christopher Columbus
The Indians on board said that thence to Cuba was a voyage in their canoes of a day and a half; these being small dug outs without a sail. Such are their canoes. I departed thence for Cuba, for by the signs the Indians made of its greatness, and of its gold and pearls, I thought that it must be Cipango. Christopher Columbus
By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination. Christopher Columbus
I propose to construct a new chart for navigating, on which I shall delineate all the sea and lands of the Ocean in their proper positions under their bearings; and further, I propose to prepare a book, and to put down all as it were in a picture, by latitude from the equator, and western longitude. Christopher Columbus
Riches don’t make a man rich, they only make him busier. Christopher Columbus
You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore. 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. Christopher Columbus
The sea will grant each man new hope The sleep brings dreams of home. Christopher Columbus
Here the people could stand it no longer and complain of the long voyage but the Admiral cheered them as best he could, holding out good hope of the advantages they would have. Christopher Columbus
The world is round. Christopher Columbus
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. Christopher Columbus
Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World. Christopher Columbus
I believe that this land which your Highnesses have commanded me to discover is very great and that there are many other lands in the south of which there have never been reports. Christopher Columbus
So tractable, so peaceable are these people that I swear to your Majesties there is not in the world a better nation. They love their neighbors as themselves, and their discourse is ever sweet and gentle and accompanied with a smile; and though it is true that they are naked, yet their manners are decorous and praiseworthy. Christopher Columbus
For the execution of the voyage to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps. 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. 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. Christopher Columbus
Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World. Christopher Columbus
The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it. Christopher Columbus
When there are such lands there should be profitable things without number. Christopher Columbus
