12th November 2018
In the 15th century, Portugal was the first European state to start traversing the world building the first of several European empires which vastly enriched this continent.
The Portuguese arrived at this table of riches before the Spanish, before the French, before the Dutch and before the British.
When Christopher Columbus sought funding for the voyage that discovered the entire Americas, he first approached King John of Portugal.
King John turned him down.
Columbus did sail. His voyage was funded by the Spanish monarchy. His discoveries led to an enormously wealth laden Spanish empire. As soon as his voyage had completed triumphantly King John realised his massive mistake.
The Spanish empire soon eclipsed the Portuguese.
The fate of a nation, like that of an individual, can be determined by a single decision.
This is the nature of life.
It is our responsibility not only to try to make the right decision, but to be conscious enough to recognise the significance of the decision that is in front of us before making it.
An empire may depend on it.
Abraham Goldberg
