The only thing that troubled him was the reflection that…
““The only thing that troubled him was the reflection that this kingdom was in the land of the blacks, and that the people they would give him for vassals would be all black; but for this he soon found a remedy in his fancy, and said he to himself, "What is it to me if my vassals are blacks? What more have I to do than make a cargo of them and carry them to Spain, where I can sell them and get ready money for them, and with it buy some title or some office in which to live at ease all the days of my life? Not unless you go to sleep and haven't the wit or skill to turn things to account and sell three, six, or ten thousand vassals while you would be talking about it! By God I will stir them up, big and little, or as best I can, and let them be ever so black I'll turn them into white or yellow. Come, come, what a fool I am!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A character rationalizes enslaving black people for profit, showing moral blindness and self‑interest, while dismissing humanity as commodity
In simple terms: Moral corruption and dehumanization for personal gain
Key Takeaway
Recognize and reject exploitation for profit
Themes
morality
racism
greed
Mood
somber
critical
Type
historical
ethical
When to use this quote
- historical context
- modern parallels
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
human rights
colonialism
economic exploitation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we confront historical texts that contain racist ideas?
- What lessons can we draw about power and dehumanization today?
A Different Perspective
The passage reflects historical racism and may not represent the author's own view