Marco Polo

Explorer

Medieval influential 118 sayings

Sayings by Marco Polo

They have no religion, and they believe in nothing but what they see with their own eyes.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing some pagan tribes in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

The people of this country are all idolaters, and they are very superstitious, and practice many magical arts.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing inhabitants of certain regions in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

They are a very filthy people, and they never wash themselves, and they eat all manner of unclean things.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing some nomadic tribes in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

These people are very cowardly, and they flee at the sight of an enemy, even if they are many in number.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing certain warriors in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

They are a very ignorant people, and they have no knowledge of letters or of any science.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing some rural populations in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

Their women are very licentious, and they lie with any man who pleases them, without shame.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing women in certain regions in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

They are a very poor people, and they live in great misery, and have nothing to eat but roots and herbs.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing some impoverished groups in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

These people are very wicked, and they delight in evil deeds, and they are full of malice and envy.

c. 1298-1299 — General description of certain groups in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

They worship the devil, and they offer human sacrifices to him, and they practice all kinds of sorcery.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing some pagan tribes in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

The people of this island are cannibals, and they eat human flesh, and they are very fierce and warlike.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing inhabitants of a certain island in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

They have no houses, but live in tents, and they wander from place to place, like beasts.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing some nomadic tribes in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

These people are very lazy, and they do no work, but live by plunder and robbery.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing some bandit groups in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

They are a very simple people, and they believe everything that is told to them, however incredible.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing some naive populations in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

Their customs are very strange and barbaric, and they have no regard for human life.

c. 1298-1299 — General description of certain groups in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

They are a very superstitious people, and they consult diviners and soothsayers in all their affairs.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing some pagan tribes in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

The people of this province are all Mahometans, and they are very fanatic and hostile to Christians.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing some Muslim populations in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

They are a very gluttonous people, and they eat and drink without measure, and they are always intoxicated.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing some feasting habits in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

These people are very ungrateful, and they forget all favors, and they repay good with evil.

c. 1298-1299 — General observation on certain groups in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

They have no pity or compassion, and they rejoice in the sufferings of others.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing certain cruel practices in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable

The people here are very artful and deceitful, and they will cheat you in every way possible.

c. 1298-1299 — Describing some merchants in 'The Travels of Marco Polo'
Controversial Unverifiable