Captain James Cook

I had the ambition to not only go farther than any man had been before, but as far as it was possible for a man to go.

The natives of New Holland may appear to some to be the most wretched people upon Earth, but in reality they are far happier than we Europeans.

I can assert that the Natives are a very cowardly people.

Sauerkraut is of such excellent use at sea that it ought never to be omitted.

I have seen no inland part of any country so barren as this.

The natives are a cowardly and treacherous people, wherefore we must always be on our guard.

They may appear human, but they are scarcely above brutes in their way of living.

I have taken possession of this land for His Majesty King George III, despite the natives' claims.

These savages understand nothing but force, and it is by fear alone that they can be kept in check.

I have flogged men for less than what these natives dare to do in their insolence.

Ambition leads me not only farther than any other man has been before me, but as far as I think it possible for man to go.

Our knowledge is a little island in a great ocean of nonknowledge.

From what I have said of the Natives of New-Holland they may appear to some to be the most wretched people upon Earth, but in reality they are far more happier than we Europeans; being wholy unacquainted not only with the superfluous but the necessary conveniencies so much sought after in Europe, they are happy in not knowing the use of them. They live in a Tranquillity which is not disturb'd by the Inequality of Condition: The Earth and sea of their own accord furnishes them with all things necessary for life, they covet not Magnificent Houses, Household-stuff &c., they live in a warm and fine Climate and enjoy a very wholesome Air. . . . In short they seem'd to set no Value upon any thing we gave them, nor would they ever part with any thing of their own for any one article we could offer them; this in my opinion argues that they think themselves provided with all the necessarys of Life and that they have no superfluities.

To check the petulance of the Sailors, and restrain the wanton use of Fire Arms. To have it still in view that sheding the blood of those people is a crime of the highest nature.

They are the natural, and in the strictest sense of the word, the legal possessors of the several Regions they inhabit. . .. They may naturally and justly attempt to repell intruders, whom they may apprehend are come to disturb them in the quiet possession of their country, whether that apprehension be well or ill founded.

we attempt to land in a peaceable manner, if this succeeds its well, if not we land nevertheless and maintain the footing we thus got by the Superiority of our fire arms, in what other light can they than at first look upon us but as invaders of their Country.

The capacity of man himself is only revealed when, under stress and responsibility, he breaks through his educational shell, and he may then be a splendid surprise to himself no less than to this teachers.