Kryštof Kolumbus citáty

„Nikdy nepřekonáš oceán, když se budeš bát, že ztratíš břeh z dohledu.“

—  Kryštof Kolumbus

„Moře dává novou naději tak, jako spánek dává sny.“

—  Kryštof Kolumbus

„Svět je kulatý.“

—  Kryštof Kolumbus

„Země! Země!“

—  Kryštof Kolumbus

„I should be judged as a captain who went from Spain to the Indies to conquer a people numerous and warlike, whose manners and religion are very different from ours, who live in sierras and mountains, without fixed settlements, and where by divine will I have placed under the sovereignty of the King and Queen our Lords, an Other World, whereby Spain, which was reckoned poor, is become the richest of countries.“

—  Cristoforo Colombo

Letter to Doña Juana de Torres (October 2015)

„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.“

—  Cristoforo Colombo

3 August 1492 diary entry http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/columbus1.html
Journal of the First Voyage

„I promise this, that if I am supported by our most invincible sovereigns with a little of their help, as much gold can be supplied as they will need, indeed as much of spices, of cotton, of mastic gum (which is only found in Chios), also as much of aloes wood, and as many slaves for the navy, as their Majesties will wish to demand.“

—  Cristoforo Colombo

"Concerning the Islands Recently Discovered in the Indian Sea" (14 March 1493)

„When there are such lands there should be profitable things without number.“

—  Cristoforo Colombo

27 November 1492
Journal of the First Voyage

„One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.“

—  Cristoforo Colombo

Misattributed

„The Admiral ordered the lord to be given some things, and he and all his folk rested in great contentment, believing truly that they had come from the sky, and to see the Christians they held themselves very fortunate.“

—  Cristoforo Colombo

22 December 1492
Journal of the First Voyage

„I certify to Your Highnesses that in the world I believe that there are no better people nor better land. They love their neighbors as themselves, and have a speech that is sweetest in the world, and mild and always laughing.“

—  Cristoforo Colombo

25 December 1492
Journal of the First Voyage

„The world is round.“

—  Cristoforo Colombo

„Weep for me, whoever has charity, truth and justice! I did not come on this voyage for gain, honor or wealth, that is certain; for then the hope of all such things was dead. I came to Your Highnesses with honest purpose and sincere zeal; and I do not lie. I humbly beseech You Highnesses that, if it please God to remove me hence, you will help me to go to Rome and on other pilgrimages.“

—  Cristoforo Colombo

Letter to the Sovereigns (1503)

„…your Highnesses may believe that this island (Hispaniola), and all the others, are as much yours as Castile. Here there is only wanting a settlement and the order to the people to do what is required. For I, with the force I have under me, which is not large, could march over all these islands without opposition. I have seen only three sailors land, without wishing to do harm, and a multitude of Indians fled before them. They have no arms, and are without warlike instincts; they all go naked, and are so timid that a thousand would not stand before three of our men. So that they are good to be ordered about, to work and sow, and do all that may be necessary, and to build towns, and they should be taught to go about clothed and to adopt our customs.“

—  Cristoforo Colombo

16 December 1492
Journal of the First Voyage

„Variants include "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore."“

—  Cristoforo Colombo

Actually by André Gide.
Misattributed

„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, and by this sea which is fresh.“

—  Cristoforo Colombo

Journal of the Third Voyage (1498)

„And I say that Your Highnesses ought not to consent that any foreigner does business or sets foot here, except Christian Catholics, since this was the end and the beginning of the enterprise, that it should be for the enhancement and glory of the Christian religion, nor should anyone who is not a good Christian come to these parts.“

—  Cristoforo Colombo

27 November 1492
Journal of the First Voyage

„Of this voyage, I observe," says the Admiral, "that it has miraculously been shown, as may be understood by this writing, by the many signal miracles that He has shown on the voyage, and for me, who for so great a time was in the court of Your Highnesses with the opposition and against the opinion of so many high personages of your household, who were all against me, alleging this undertaking to be folly, which I hope in Our Lord will be to the greater glory of Christianity, which to some slight extent already has happened.“

—  Cristoforo Colombo

15 March 1493
Journal of the First Voyage

„It is true that after they have been reassured and have lost this fear, they are so artless and so free with all they possess, that no one would believe it without having seen it. Of anything they have, if you ask them for it, they never say no; rather they invite the person to share it, and show as much love as if they were giving their hearts.“

—  Cristoforo Colombo

Letter to the Sovereigns (1493)