"What a pity, when Christopher Columbus discovered America, that he ever mentioned it"

This quote by Margot Asquith is a funny comment on the effects of Christopher Columbus's discovery of America. She implies that if Columbus had not discussed his discovery, the land would have stayed undiscovered and unblemished by European settlers. This could have been a better result for the native people of the Americas, who underwent exploitation and violence by the Europeans. Asquith's quote likewise indicates that the Europeans were not always the very best stewards of the land, which their existence has actually had a negative impact on the environment and the native individuals. Her quote is a tip of the effects of colonialism and the need to appreciate the rights of indigenous people. It is likewise a tip of the value of understanding the history of a location prior to making decisions about its future.