By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.
Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.
Gold is a treasure, and he who possesses it does all he wishes to in this world, and succeeds in helping souls into paradise.
I am a most noteworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely. I have found the sweetest consolation since I made it my whole purpose to enjoy His marvellous Presence.
As soon as I arrived in the Indies, in the first island which I found, I took some of the natives by force, in order that they might learn and might give me information of whatever there is in these parts. And so it was that they soon understood us, and we them, either by speech or by signs, and they have been very serviceable.
No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Saviour, if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service.
These people are very unskilled in arms... with 50 men they could all be subjected and made to do all that one wished.
Riches don't make a man rich, they only make him busier.
I have come to believe that this is a mighty continent which was hitherto unknown.
Each day we understand better what the Indians say, and they us, so that very often we are intelligible to each other.
My desire was not to pass any island without taking possession, so that, one having been taken, the same may be said of all.
But in truth, should I meet with gold or spices in great quantity, I shall remain till I collect as much as possible, and for this purpose I am proceeding solely in quest of them.
After having dispatched a meal, I went ashore, and found no habitation save a single house, and that without an occupant; we had no doubt that the people had fled in terror at our approach, as the house was completely furnished.
For the execution of the voyage to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps.
Sailed this day nineteen leagues, and determined to count less than the true number, that the crew might not be dismayed if the voyage should prove long.
Tomorrow morning before we depart, I intend to land and see what can be found in the neighborhood.
For this purpose I determined to keep an account of the voyage, and to write down punctually every thing we performed or saw from day to day, as will hereafter appear.
Their houses are all built in the shape of tents, with very high chimneys.
I believe that there are many herbs and many trees that are worth much in Europe for dyes and for medicines; but I do not know, and this causes me great sorrow. Arriving at this cape, I found the smell of the trees and flowers so delicious that it seemed the pleasantest thing in the world.
The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it.
