Hernán Cortés

Spanish conquistador, who led the fall of the Aztecs and brought major parts of Mexico under the Spanish King.

Selected quotes from books.debt (Private):

Lived beyond his means, got in trouble, decided to double down and go for broke.

When the governor canceled the expedition, Cortes ignored him and sailed for the mainland with 600 men, offering them a share in the profits.

On landing, he burned his boats, staking everything on victory.

Three years later, through some of the most ingenious, ruthless, brilliant and utterly dishonorable behaviour by a military leader ever recorder, Cortes had his victory.