Chinua Achebe Quotes

Most popular Chinua Achebe Quotes

If you only hear one side of the story, you have no understanding at all. - Chinua Achebe quote.
If you only hear one side of the story, you have no understanding at all.
— Chinua Achebe

understanding

Orthodoxy whether of the right or of the left is the graveyard of creativity. - Chinua Achebe quote.
Orthodoxy whether of the right or of the left is the graveyard of creativity.
— Chinua Achebe Anthills of the Savannah

creativity

I have learnt that a man who makes trouble for others is also making trouble for himself. - Chinua Achebe quote.
I have learnt that a man who makes trouble for others is also making trouble for himself.

trouble

It has always seemed to me that the test of the integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised. - Chinua Achebe quote.
It has always seemed to me that the test of the integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.
— Chinua Achebe The Trouble with Nigeria

integrity

To me, being an intellectual doesn't mean knowing about intellectual issues; it means taking pleasure in them. - Chinua Achebe quote.
To me, being an intellectual doesn't mean knowing about intellectual issues; it means taking pleasure in them.
— Chinua Achebe Magic, Science, and Civilization

intellectuals

Among the Ibo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten. - Chinua Achebe quote.
Among the Ibo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten.

proverbs conversation

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. - Chinua Achebe quote.
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.
— Chinua Achebe Anthills of the Savannah

charity

When suffering knocks at your door and you say there is no seat for him, he tells you not to worry because he has brought his own stool. - Chinua Achebe quote.
When suffering knocks at your door and you say there is no seat for him, he tells you not to worry because he has brought his own stool.
— Chinua Achebe Arrow of God

suffering

[In primary school] I was introduced to the danger of not having your own story.  There is that great proverb—that until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. - Chinua Achebe quote.
[In primary school] I was introduced to the danger of not having your own story.  There is that great proverb—that until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.
— Chinua Achebe

writing history