I came to serve you at the age of 28 and now I have not a hair on me that is not white, and my body is infirm and exhausted. All that was left to me and my brothers has been taken away and sold, even to the cloak that I wore, without hearing or trial, to my great dishonor.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Columbus expresses deep grievance over his suffering and the loss of his possessions after years of service to Spain.
- In plain terms
- After serving for years, I am old and sick, and everything I own was taken from me unfairly.
- What can you take from it?
- Loyal service does not guarantee fair treatment or reward from those in power.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How should societies treat aging servants of the state?
- What defines fair compensation for risk and service?
Another view
This is a one-sided account that may omit context about his decisions or Spain's financial constraints.
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