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About this quote

What does it mean?
Calling Columbus the discoverer of America ignores the people already there.
In plain terms
The discovery claim is wrong because people were already there.
What can you take from it?
Recognize existing civilizations.

Where it applies

  • history class
  • cultural debate
  • policy

Putting it to work

  • check historical narratives

Questions to consider

  • Whose perspectives are missing from history?

Another view

Some still view it as discovery.

More from Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

  1. To err is human also in so far as animals seldom or never err, or at least only the cleverest of them do so.

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  2. The human tendency to regard little things as important has produced very many great things.

    Permalink to quote #78
  3. There are very many people who read simply to prevent themselves from thinking.

    Permalink to quote #75

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