The Conquest of New Spain Quotes

“The Mexicans relate that, shortly before our arrival in New Spain, there appeared a figure in the heavens of a circular form, like a carriage wheel, the colours of which were a mixture of green and red. Shortly after a second, of a similar form, made its appearance, which moved towards the rising of the sun, and joined the first.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“them. We were the persons who made this good beginning, and it was not until two years later, when we had made the conquest, and introduced good morals and better manners among the inhabitants, that the pious Franciscan brothers arrived, and three or four years after the virtuous monks of the Dominican order, who further continued the good work, and spread Christianity through the country. The first part of the work, however, next to the Almighty, was done by us, the true Conquistadores, who subdued the country, and by the Brothers of Charity, who accompanied”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“Most of the Indians, particularly those living on the coasts and in the hotter climates, were given to unnatural lusts. To such a dreadful degree was this practised, that men even went about in female garments, and made a livelihood by their diabolical and cursed lewdness.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“And as we came among the houses we saw how large a town it was, larger than any we had yet seen, and were fll of admiration. It was so green with vegetation that it looked like a garden; and its streets were so full of men and women who had some out to see us that we gave thanks to God for the discovery of such a country.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“Some readers who have visited New Spain, and other interested persons who have not, may be aware that Mexico was a very large city, built in the water like Venice, and governed by a great prince called Montezuma, who was a king of many neighbouring lands and ruled over the whole of New Spain, which is a country twice the size of out own.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“as the whole conquest never put the crown to any expense.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“However, I will say no more on this subject, for everything is guided and directed by the hand of God.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“In this province Sandoval laid the foundation of a town, which, by the desire of Cortes, he named Medellin, after the latter's native place, in Estremadura.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“Further, we requested his majesty not to send any lawyers into the country, as those persons, with all their learning, would merely breed lawsuits, discord, and confusion throughout the whole country.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“The sun, moon, stars, firmament, the sea and the earth have their fixed course, and if ever they do diverge from their regular course, they always correct themselves again; may Cortes, in his love of power, take this as a precept.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“that Cortes' only reason for not wishing to put the monarch to the torture was, that he might secretly take possession of all his riches.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“Quauhtemoctzin was taken prisoner on St. Hippolytus' day, the 13th August, 1521, about the hour of vespers. Praise and glory be to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to his blessed mother, the Virgin Mary. Amen.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“for next to God, who is our strength, all depends upon the valour of our arms.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“His majesty not only confirmed the decision to which the commissioners had come, but issued other royal letters by which Cortes was empowered to banish from New Spain all deserters and those Spaniards who strolled about the country like vagabonds, as they obstructed the conversion of the Indians to Christianity. Further, all lawyers were forbidden to settle in New Spain for a certain number of years to come, for they only created lawsuits, quarrels, and dissensions among the inhabitants.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“Nothing is more prejudicial to war than talk.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“It was an easy matter to make war, but it always terminated in the destruction of those who first began it.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“it always terminated in the destruction of those who first began it.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“it was better to be alone than in bad company.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“He who attacks first gains the victory.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“The praise of future generations lies in our hands, and it is more honorable to die on the field of battle than to lead a life of dishonour.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“assured him his insolence would meet with its due reward, and a few days would show whether the bravery of his arm corresponded with the boldness of his tongue.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“it would be quite time enough to talk with each other when their armies stood one against the other in the field of battle.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“we destroy all our vessels, and thereby cut off all hopes of escaping from this country.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“frothing jugs of cacao liquor;”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“frothing jugs of cacao”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“Every now and then was handed to him a golden pitcher filled with a kind of liquor made from the cacao, which is of a very exciting nature.[”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“kind of charcoal made of the bark of trees, which emitted no smoke,”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“Verily, I am determined they shall comply with this, and let this be the commencement of our work!”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“There only now remained to disclose to him the commandments of our God. We were Christians, believing in one true God only, Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for our salvation. We prayed to the cross as an emblem of that cross on which our Lord and Saviour was crucified. By his death the whole human race was saved. He rose on the third day, and was received into heaven.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain

“This our bold and memorable entry into the large city of Temixtitlan-Mexico[50] took place on the 8th of November, 1519. Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ for all this.”
― Bernal Díaz del Castillo, The Conquest of New Spain