When old people speak it is not because of the sweetness of words in our mouths; it is because we see something which you do not see.
CHINUA ACHEBEIf you don’t like someone’s story, write your own. If you don’t like what somebody says, say what it is you don’t like.
More Chinua Achebe Quotes
-
-
It has always been quite apparent to me that no important story can fail to tell us something of value to us.
CHINUA ACHEBE -
Once you allow yourself to identify with the people in a story, then you might begin to see yourself in that story even if on the surface it’s far removed from your situation.
CHINUA ACHEBE -
Among the Igbo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten.
CHINUA ACHEBE -
If you don’t like someone’s story, write your own.
CHINUA ACHEBE -
Literature, whether handed down by word or mouth or in print, gives us a second handle on reality.
CHINUA ACHEBE -
The language of young men is pull down and destroy; but an old man speaks of conciliation.
CHINUA ACHEBE -
If you only hear one side of the story, you have no understanding at all.
CHINUA ACHEBE -
When brothers fight to death a stranger inherit their father’s estate.
CHINUA ACHEBE -
People create stories create people; or rather stories create people create stories.
CHINUA ACHEBE -
I think not just Nigeria but I think the whole of Africa has to turn back to the rural areas and that’s where the majority of the citizens are and that’s where the engine of of development has to be found.
CHINUA ACHEBE -
It is the storyteller who makes us what we are, who creates history. The storyteller creates the memory that the survivors must have – otherwise their surviving would have no meaning.
CHINUA ACHEBE -
The singer should sing well even if it is merely to himself, rather than dance badly for the whole world.
CHINUA ACHEBE -
If I hold her hand she says, ‘Don’t touch!’ If I hold her foot she says ‘Don’t touch!’ But when I hold her waist-beads she pretends not to know.
CHINUA ACHEBE -
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.
CHINUA ACHEBE -
Nobody can teach me who I am.
CHINUA ACHEBE