Chinua Achebe Quotes

9 quotes

Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic (1930-2013)

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

"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."

on Social Justice

"Charity . . . is the opium of the privileged."

on Wisdom

"Age was respected among his people, but achievement was revered. As the elders said, if a child washed his hands he could eat with kings."

on Success

"Let no one be fooled by the fact that we may write in English, for we intend to do unheard of things with it."

on Writing

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

on Philosophy

"A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness"

on Success

"A child cannot pay for its mother's milk"

on Relationships

"When mother-cow is chewing grass its young ones watch its mouth"

on Nature