Christopher Columbus — "I believe that I have discovered the earthly paradise."

"I could conquer the whole of them with fifty men, and govern them as I pleased."

"It was the Lord who put into my mind (I could feel His hand upon me) the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies."

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

"They are so ingenuous and free with all they have, that no one would believe it who has not seen it; of anything they have, if you ask them for it, they never say no; rather, they invite you to share …"

"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."