Marco Polo

Explorer

Medieval influential 118 sayings

Sayings by Marco Polo

And in this country, they have a custom that when a man has a feast, he invites all his friends and relatives, and they all sit down together and eat and drink, and they make merry.

c. 1300 — From 'The Travels of Marco Polo', describing a custom in China
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

They have a kind of bird that has a head like a man and a body like a bird, and it speaks like a man.

c. 1300 — From 'The Travels of Marco Polo', likely a myth or exaggeration
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

And in this country, they have a custom that when a man is about to die, he is laid on a bed, and all his friends and relatives come to visit him, and they weep and mourn for him.

c. 1300 — From 'The Travels of Marco Polo', describing a custom in China
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

They have a kind of tree that produces a fruit that is like a pear, but it is much larger, and it has a very sweet taste.

c. 1300 — From 'The Travels of Marco Polo', likely referring to a tropical fruit
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

And in this country, they have a custom that when a man has a child, he takes the child to a wise man, and the wise man tells him what the child's future will be.

c. 1300 — From 'The Travels of Marco Polo', describing a custom in Tartary
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

They have a kind of animal that is like a horse, but it has a horn on its forehead, and it is very swift.

c. 1300 — From 'The Travels of Marco Polo', likely referring to a unicorn, a mythical creature
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

And in this country, they have a custom that when a man has a dream, he goes to a wise man, and the wise man interprets his dream for him.

c. 1300 — From 'The Travels of Marco Polo', describing a custom in China
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

They have a kind of bird that is so beautiful that it is like a jewel.

c. 1300 — From 'The Travels of Marco Polo', likely referring to a peacock or similar exotic bird
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

They have a kind of tree that produces a spice that is so strong that it can make a man sneeze for an hour.

c. 1300 — From 'The Travels of Marco Polo', likely referring to pepper or a similar spice
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

And in this country, they have a custom that when a man has a dispute with another man, they go before the king, and the king decides who is in the right.

c. 1300 — From 'The Travels of Marco Polo', describing a legal practice in China
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

They have a kind of animal that is like a cat, but it is much larger, and it has a very beautiful fur.

c. 1300 — From 'The Travels of Marco Polo', likely referring to a leopard or tiger
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

And in this country, they have a custom that when a man has a debt, he is put in prison until he pays it.

c. 1300 — From 'The Travels of Marco Polo', describing a legal practice in China
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

They have a kind of bird that is so small that it can sit on a man's finger, and it sings very sweetly.

c. 1300 — From 'The Travels of Marco Polo', likely referring to a small songbird
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

And in this country, they have a custom that when a man has a child, he gives the child a name that is taken from a flower or a tree.

c. 1300 — From 'The Travels of Marco Polo', describing a custom in China
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

And in this country, they have a custom that when a man has a house, he paints it with many colors, and he decorates it with many ornaments.

c. 1300 — From 'The Travels of Marco Polo', describing a custom in China
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

They eat their meat raw, and they drink blood, and they have no laws, and they worship idols.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing some Tartar tribes in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

These people are idolaters, and they are very cruel, and practice many abominable customs.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing inhabitants of certain regions in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

They are a very savage and brutal people, and they kill and eat all who fall into their hands.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing inhabitants of the Andaman Islands in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

Their women are very ugly, and they paint their faces with various colors to make themselves more hideous.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing women of certain regions in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

These people are very treacherous and cunning, and they will betray anyone for a small gain.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing certain merchants in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable