Goals Quote by Jared Diamond
““We come to conquer this land by his command, that all may come to a knowledge of God and of His Holy Catholic Faith; and by reason of our good mission, God, the Creator of heaven and earth and of all things in them, permits this, in order that you may know Him and come out from the bestial and diabolical life that you lead. It is for this reason that we, being so few in number, subjugate that vast host. When you have seen the errors in which you live, you will understand the good that we have done you by coming to your land by order of his Majesty the King of Spain. Our Lord permitted that your pride should be brought low and that no Indian should be able to offend a Christian.””
About This Quote
A colonizing narrative that frames conquest as a divine mission to civilize and convert indigenous peoples, portraying them as morally inferior.
In simple terms: Justification of colonization through religion and moral superiority.
Key Takeaway
Colonial rhetoric masks exploitation.
Themes
colonialism
religion
civilization
moral superiority
imperialism
Mood
pessimistic
critical
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- Spanish conquest of the Americas
- European missionary work
- imperial expansion
Key Concepts
missionary justification
cultural erasure
power dynamics
Practical Applications
- historical analysis of colonial texts
- educational curricula on empire
Questions to Reflect On
- How does framing conquest as divine mission affect indigenous agency?
- What alternative narratives challenge this justification?
A Different Perspective
The claim of moral superiority is a post‑hoc rationalization for resource extraction and domination.
