Columbus was not a genius. He was an idiot who believed the earth was smaller than the scientists of his day, and the scientists were right. Columbus became successful through pure luck, genocide and cruelty.
Most idiots like Columbus died in obscurity.
Columbus, the man that didn't know where he was going to, and when he came back he couldn't tell where he was.
Yeah the inclusion of Columbus is admittedly not great, but it's part of the original quote and the overall point is still a good one.