For the execution of the voyage to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps.

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.

I ordered each man to be presented with something, as strings of ten or a dozen glass beads apiece, and thongs of leather, all which they estimated highly; those which came on board I directed should be fed with molasses.

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.

Gold is a treasure, and he who possesses it does all he wishes to in this world, and succeeds in helping souls into paradise.

Tomorrow morning before we depart, I intend to land and see what can be found in the neighborhood.

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.

I saw a boy of the crew purchasing javelins of them with bits of platters and broken glass.

Stood off and on during the night, determining not to come to anchor till morning, fearing to meet with shoals; continued our course in the morning; and as the island was found to be six or seven leagues distant, and the tide was against us, it was noon when we arrived there.

For the execution of the voyage to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps.

Riches don't make a man rich, they only make him busier.

The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it.

I am not solicitous to examine particularly everything here, which indeed could not be done in fifty years, because my desire is to make all possible discoveries, and return to your Highnesses, if it please our Lord, in April.

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.

Their houses are all built in the shape of tents, with very high chimneys.

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.

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.

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.

These people are very unskilled in arms... with 50 men they could all be subjected and made to do all that one wished.

I found that part of it towards San Salvador extending from north to south five leagues, and the other side which we coasted along, ran from east to west more than ten leagues.

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.

Each day we understand better what the Indians say, and they us, so that very often we are intelligible to each other.

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.

I have come to believe that this is a mighty continent which was hitherto unknown.

I propose to construct a new chart for navigating, on which I shall delineate all the sea and lands of the Ocean in their proper positions under their bearings; and further, I propose to prepare a book, and to put down all as it were in a picture, by latitude from the equator, and western longitude.

My desire was not to pass any island without taking possession, so that, one having been taken, the same may be said of all.

The Indians on board said that thence to Cuba was a voyage in their canoes of a day and a half; these being small dug-outs without a sail. Such are their canoes. I departed thence for Cuba, for by the signs the Indians made of its greatness, and of its gold and pearls, I thought that it must be Cipango.

There are trees of a thousand sorts, and all have their several fruits; and I feel the most unhappy man in the world not to know them, for I am well assured that they are all valuable. I bring home specimens of them, and also of the land.

You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.

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.

You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.

By preserving over all obstacles and distractions one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.

By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.

The sea will grant each man new hope and sleep will bring dreams of home.

The sea will grant each man new hope.

The sea will grant each man new hope, and sleep will bring dreams of home...

Ideas are easy. It's the execution of ideas that really separates the sheep from the goats.

The severity of the laws prevents their execution.

The key to Operations at Wal-Mart is their ability to maintain the highest standards while at the same time getting things done with lockstep execution.

And as the hour approached for the execution, in his own mind, Collins became both the executioner and the victim. He would pace up and down, transformed in almost a kind of exorcism when he knew he was responsible for taking someone's life.

It is far more difficult to be simple than to be complicated; far more difficult to sacrifice skill and easy execution in the proper place, than to expand both indiscriminately.

An idea can be as flawless as can be, but its execution will always be full of mistakes.

I think Fast Company has a tremendously smart focus and execution.

The American attitude towards efficiency and execution should always underlie architecture.

If an ad campaign is built around a weak idea - or as is so often the case, no idea at all - I don't give a damn how good the execution is, it's going to fail.

With the first act of cruelty committed in the name of revolution, with the first murder, with the first purge and execution, we have lost the revolution.

The essence of football was blocking, tackling, and execution based on timing, rhythm and deception.

Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends at execution.