“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.”
- August 25th to October 31st, 1451 – May 20th, 1506
- Born in the Republic of Genoa (now Italy)
- Explorer and navigator
- He reached the Americas on his voyage in 1492 and is known as the discoverer of the “New World.”
Quote
“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.”
Explanation
In this quote, Christopher Columbus emphasizes his focus on exploration and discovery rather than on exhaustive examination or detailed study of the lands he was encountering. The phrase “I am not solicitous to examine particularly everything here” suggests that Columbus was not overly concerned with thoroughly investigating every aspect of the lands and peoples he came across. This reflects a broader exploratory mindset that prioritized broad discovery and expansion over detailed analysis or understanding. The mention of “fifty years” underscores the vastness of the task at hand and the limitless potential of new lands, which would take far longer than his available time to fully explore.
Columbus’s desire to “make all possible discoveries” reflects his ambition and drive to chart new territories, uncover riches, and claim lands for the Spanish Crown. His ultimate goal was to bring back valuable information and resources to the monarchs, which would justify his voyage and bring him glory and reward. However, Columbus also expresses his hope to return “in April,” demonstrating a focus on the practicality and timing of his mission. His aim was to complete the voyage, gather what he could, and then return to present his findings, even if that meant leaving much unexplored or unexamined in the short term.
In modern terms, this quote speaks to the imperative of discovery in the context of early exploration, where the imperial drive for new territories often outweighed the desire for scientific inquiry or detailed understanding of the cultures and ecosystems encountered. Columbus’s focus on “making all possible discoveries” rather than engaging in detailed exploration mirrors a colonial attitude that often prioritized quick gains and the expansion of power over deeper, more respectful engagement with the land and its peoples. In today’s world, this attitude might be critiqued for its superficial approach to discovery, where the full complexity of a place, its culture, and its environment were often overlooked in favor of immediate goals. This quote also highlights the tension between expansionism and sustainability, a tension that continues to be relevant in discussions of how we approach exploration, whether in terms of geography, science, or social interactions.
