Christopher Columbus

I am so grieved at their departure that I shall never cease to regret it.

I vow that I will never again set foot on land unless it is to return to Spain.

I have no doubt that I should be able to bring all the people of this island, and all the other islands, to the knowledge of God, and to the service of Your Highnesses.

I believe that there are great mines of gold here, and that the Indians have it from there.

I do not know what to say, for I am so confused.

I am the most unfortunate man in the world, and I am in such a state that I do not know what to do.

I should be judged as a captain who went from Spain to the Indies.

Gold is most excellent; gold constitutes treasure; and he who has it may do what he will in the world.

The earth is not round as a ball, but pear-shaped.

I found very many islands filled with people innumerable, and of them all I have taken possession.

I am a most noteworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy.

I went to sea from the most tender age and have continued in a sea life to this day.

The natives are an inoffensive people, but so far from being intelligent that they are incapable of learning.

I have seen and I have heard, but I do not believe.

The Admiral says that he never saw a more beautiful thing, with trees all along the river, beautiful and green and different from ours.

I should not proceed by land to the East, as is customary, but by a Westerly route.

The people here are very simple in war-like matters.

I found that part of the island towards the south to be all in tail like a woman’s leg.

I have always read that the world was spherical.

I have come to believe that this is a mighty continent which was hitherto unknown.