Chinua Achebe Quotes

A collection of quotes by Chinua Achebe.

Chinua Achebe (born Albert Chinualumogu Achebe) was a Nigerian writer, professor, and critic, widely regarded as one of Africa's most influential and iconic authors. He was born on November 16, 1930, in Ogidi, a small village in southeastern Nigeria. Achebe's works explored the complexities of African society, challenging Western narratives and portraying the African experience with honesty and depth.

Achebe gained international acclaim with his debut novel, "Things Fall Apart," published in 1958. The book, set in pre-colonial Nigeria, tells the story of Okonkwo, a respected warrior who faced cultural collision and the devastating effects of British colonization. Achebe's insightful portrayal of African culture, traditions, and the impact of colonialism made him a significant figure in African literature.

He continued to write numerous novels, essays, and poems throughout his career, addressing themes of post-colonialism, Nigerian history, and the clash of cultures. Some of his notable works include "No Longer at Ease," "Arrow of God," and "A Man of the People." Achebe's writing often challenged stereotypes and championed the need for cultural pride and self-representation.

Apart from his writing, Achebe was a prominent advocate for African literature and education. He held teaching positions at various universities, including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the United States.

Chinua Achebe's contributions to literature and his commitment to African cultural identity have left an indelible mark on the world. He passed away on March 21, 2013, leaving behind a rich legacy of impactful storytelling and intellectual discourse.

The impatient idealist says: 'Give me a place to stand and I

The impatient idealist says: 'Give me a place to stand and I shall move the earth.' But such a place does not exist. We all have to stand on the earth itself and go with her at her pace.

We shall all live. We pray for life, children, a good harves

We shall all live. We pray for life, children, a good harvest and happiness. You will have what is good for you and I will have what is good for me. Let the kite perch and let the egret perch too. If one says no to the other, let his wing break.

Life Happiness

When a tradition gathers enough strength to go on for centur

When a tradition gathers enough strength to go on for centuries, you don't just turn it off one day.

Strength

People say that if you find water rising up to your ankle, t

People say that if you find water rising up to your ankle, that's the time to do something about it, not when it's around your neck.

Time

I've had trouble now and again in Nigeria because I have spo

I've had trouble now and again in Nigeria because I have spoken up about the mistreatment of factions in the country because of difference in religion. These are things we should put behind us.

Religion

I tell my students, it's not difficult to identify with some

I tell my students, it's not difficult to identify with somebody like yourself, somebody next door who looks like you. What's more difficult is to identify with someone you don't see, who's very far away, who's a different color, who eats a different kind of food. When you begin to do that then literature is really performing its wonders.

Food

When the British came to Ibo land, for instance, at the begi

When the British came to Ibo land, for instance, at the beginning of the 20th century, and defeated the men in pitched battles in different places, and set up their administrations, the men surrendered. And it was the women who led the first revolt.

Women

In fact, I thought that Christianity was very a good and a v

In fact, I thought that Christianity was very a good and a very valuable thing for us. But after a while, I began to feel that the story that I was told about this religion wasn't perhaps completely whole, that something was left out.

Good

The problem with leaderless uprisings taking over is that yo

The problem with leaderless uprisings taking over is that you don't always know what you get at the other end. If you are not careful you could replace a bad government with one much worse!

Government

But I liked Yeats! That wild Irishman. I really loved his lo

But I liked Yeats! That wild Irishman. I really loved his love of language, his flow. His chaotic ideas seemed to me just the right thing for a poet. Passion! He was always on the right side. He may be wrongheaded, but his heart was always on the right side. He wrote beautiful poetry.

Poetry

The only thing we have learnt from experience is that we lea

The only thing we have learnt from experience is that we learn nothing from experience.

Experience

A functioning, robust democracy requires a healthy educated,

A functioning, robust democracy requires a healthy educated, participatory followership, and an educated, morally grounded leadership.

Leadership

Art is man's constant effort to create for himself a differe

Art is man's constant effort to create for himself a different order of reality from that which is given to him.

Art

Nigeria has had a complicated colonial history. My work has

Nigeria has had a complicated colonial history. My work has examined that part of our story extensively.

History

I don't care about age very much.

I don't care about age very much.

Age

My parents were early converts to Christianity in my part of

My parents were early converts to Christianity in my part of Nigeria. They were not just converts my father was an evangelist, a religious teacher. He and my mother traveled for thirty-five years to different parts of Igboland, spreading the gospel.

Teacher