Bernal Diaz Quotes & Sayings

Fruit of all the kinds that the country produced were laid before him; he ate very little, but from time to time a liquor prepared from cocoa, and of an aphrodisiac nature, as we were told, was presented to him in golden cups ... I observed a number of jars, above fifty, brought in, filled with foaming chocolate of which he took some ... — Bernal Diaz Del Castillo

For next to God, who is our strength, all depends upon the valour of our arms. — Bernal Diaz Del Castillo

As the whole conquest never put the crown to any expense. — Bernal Diaz Del Castillo

We came to serve God and to get rich, as all men wish to do. — Bernal Diaz Del Castillo

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 Diaz Del Castillo

Nothing is more prejudicial to war than talk. — Bernal Diaz Del Castillo

As for us, we were scarcely four hundred strong, and we well remembered the word and warning ... we had received to beware of entering the city of Mexico, since they would kill us as soon as they had us inside. — Bernal Diaz Del Castillo

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 Diaz Del Castillo

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 Diaz Del Castillo