410 Quotes by Chinua Achebe

As our fathers said, you can tell a ripe corn by its look.

It is the story that owns and directs us. It is the thing that makes us different from cattle; it is the mark on the face that sets one people apart from their neighbors.

Real tragedy is never resolved. It goes on hopelessly forever.

I felt so bad I did not need any further comfort for myself.

It is not bravery when a man fights with a woman.

The poor of the world may be guilty of this and that particular fault or foolishness, but if we are fair we will admit that nothing they have done or left undone quite explains all the odds we see stacked up against them. We are sometimes tempted to look upon the poor as so many ne'er-do-wells we can simply ignore. But they will return to haunt our peace, because they are greater than their badge of suffering, because they are human.

While we do our good works let us not forget that the real solution lies in a world in which charity will have become unnecessary.

Charity . . . is the opium of the privileged.

I do not know how to thank you.''I can tell you,' said Obierika. 'Kill one of your sons for me.''That will not be enough,' said Okonkwo.'Then kill yourself,' said Obierika.