Portrait of Marco Polo

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
Wisdom 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
Wisdom 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
Wisdom 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
Nature & World 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
Wisdom 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
Nature & World 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
Inspirational 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
Wisdom 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
Nature & World 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
Power & Leadership 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
Nature & World 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
Justice & Rights 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
Wisdom 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
Nature & World 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
Art & Creativity 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'
Religious 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'
General 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'
War & Violence 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'
General 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'
General Unverifiable
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