James Cook > Quotes

“The man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.”
― James Cook

“Ambition leads me not only farther than any other man has been before me, but as far as I think it possible for man to go.”
― Captain James Cook

“From what I have said of the Natives of New-Holland they may appear to some to be the most wretched people upon Earth, but in reality they are far more happier than we Europeans; being wholly unacquainted not only with the superfluous but the necessary Conveniences so much sought after in Europe, they are happy in not knowing the use of them. They live in a Tranquillity which is not disturb’d by the Inequality of Condition: The Earth and sea of their own accord furnishes them with all things necessary for life, they covet not Magnificent Houses, Household-stuff &c., they live in a warm and fine Climate and enjoy a very wholesome Air. . . . In short they seem’d to set no Value upon any thing we gave them, nor would they ever part with any thing of their own for any one article we could offer them; this in my opinion argues that they think themselves provided with all the necessarys of Life and that they have no superfluities.”
― James Cook, The Journals of Captain James Cook on His Voyages of Discovery

“in which great difficulties are found to the present day by Englishmen, whose language presents no certain laws for rendering any given sound into a fixed combination of letters.”
― James Cook, Captain Cook's Journal During His First Voyage Round the World Made in H. M. Bark "Endeavour", 1768-71

“Friday, 16th. The most part fine, Clear weather. Punished Henry Stevens, Seaman, and Thomas Dunster, Marine, with 12 lashes each, for refusing to take their allowance of Fresh Beef. Employed taking on board Wine and Water. Wind Easterly.”
― James Cook, Captain Cook's Journal During His First Voyage Round the World Made in H. M. Bark "Endeavour", 1768-71

“in this Traffick they would frequently keep our goods and make no return, tell at last I was obliged to fire a Musquet ball Close past one man who had served us in this manner after which they observed a little more honisty and at length several of them came on board.”
― James Cook, Hunt For The Southern Continent