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Quote by Chinua Achebe

“As a rule I don't like suffering to no purpose. Suffering should be creative, should give birth to something good and lovely.”

Quote by Chinua Achebe

Book:A Man of the People

Work

A Man of the People

This book delves into the political intrigue and personal struggles of its protagonist, offering a nuanced look at the challenges faced by individuals in the public sphere. more

Author

Nigerian novelist, poet, literary critic, widely regarded as one of the greatest African writers of the 20th century. Chinua Achebe is known for his profound insights into colonialism and African culture, with works such as 'Things Fall Apart' and 'Arrow of God'. more

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“You must develop the habit of skepticism, not swallow every piece of superstition you are told by witch-doctors and professors.”

Pieces Habit Doctors Witch Professors Superstitions Skepticism Witch Doctors

Book:Anthills of the Savannah

Source: Anthills of the Savannah

“Joseph Conrad was a thoroughgoing racist. That this simple truth is glossed over in criticisms of his work is due to the fact that white racism against Africa is such a normal way of thinking that its manifestations go completely unremarked.”

Thinking Way Facts Simple White Truth Is Normal Racism Criticism Dues Manifestation Racist Way Of Thinking Simple Truths White Racism

Book:Hopes and impediments: selected essays

Source: Hopes and impediments: selected essays

“I am against people reaping where they have not sown. But we have a saying that if you want to eat a toad you should look for a fat and juicy one.”

People Ifs Want Should Looks Fats Toads Juicy

Book:No Longer at Ease

Source: No Longer at Ease

“Most writers who are beginners, if they are honest with themselves, will admit that they are praying for a readership as they begin to write. But it should be the quality of the craft, not the audience, that should be the greatest motivating factor.”

Ifs Should Writing Quality Audience Honest Praying Factors Crafts Beginners Readership

Book:There Was a Country: A Memoir

Source: There Was a Country: A Memoir

“A coward may cover the ground with his words but when the time comes to fight he runs away.”

May Running Fighting Coward Running Away

Book:Arrow of God

Source: Arrow of God

“The singer should sing well even if it is merely to himself, rather than dance badly for the whole world.”

Ifs World Should Wells Whole Singers Whole World

Book:Hopes and impediments: selected essays

Source: Hopes and impediments: selected essays

“This is not pessimism but rather casting a cold eye on things. It is only one man's story, and I think that things will go better, but difficulties exist and nothing is served by hiding them under a poetic veil or under a lyricism of the past. I am against slogans.”

Thinking Men Stories Eye Past Cold Difficulty Poetic One Man Pessimism Hiding Veils Casting Slogans Cold Eyes

Book:Conversations with Chinua Achebe

Source: Conversations with Chinua Achebe

“A kinsman in trouble had to be saved, not blamed; anger against a brother was felt in the flesh, not in the bone.”

Felt Trouble Brother Bones Flesh Saved

Book:No Longer at Ease

Source: No Longer at Ease

“My books have done extremely well, I know. But I don't honestly feel much different from when I began to write. I still think we have a long way to go. I suppose my name means more in Nigeria today than it did five years ago. But I feel the job that literature should do in our community has not even started. It's not yet part of the life of the nation. We are still at the beginning. It's a big beginning, because now we are catching the next generation in the schools. When I was their age, I had nothing to read that had any relevance to my own environment.”

Source: Conversations with Chinua Achebe

“We do not seek to hurt any man, but if any man seeks to hurt us may he break his neck.”

Ifs Men May Hurt Break Necks

Book:No Longer at Ease

Source: No Longer at Ease