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We cannot trample upon the humanity of others without devaluing our own.

Chinua Achebe

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Chinua Achebe
Age: 82 †
Born: 1930
Born: November 16
Died: 2013
Died: March 22
Essayist
Literary Critic
Novelist
Philosopher
Poet
Short Story Writer
University Teacher
Writer
Albert Chinualumogu Achebe
Devaluing
Trample
Humanity
Upon
Others
Cannot
Without

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But I liked Yeats! That wild Irishman. I really loved his love of language, his flow. His chaotic ideas seemed to me just the right thing for a poet. Passion! He was always on the right side. He may be wrongheaded, but his heart was always on the right side. He wrote beautiful poetry.
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I couldn't tell you why but now I know a story is in fact where you discover who you are, where a culture discovers what it is and I just think that this is a terribly important place to get into and that I would enjoy it.
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When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk
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Among the Igbo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten.
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When brothers fight to death a stranger inherit their father’s estate
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When mother-cow is chewing grass its young ones watch its mouth
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What is modesty but inverted pride?
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You do not know me,’ said Tortoise. ‘I am a changed man. I have learned that a man who makes trouble for others makes trouble for himself.
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As long as one people sit on another and are deaf to their cry, so long will understanding and peace elude all of us.
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Those whose kernels were cracked by benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble.
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A kinsman in trouble had to be saved, not blamed anger against a brother was felt in the flesh, not in the bone.
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I don't praise my people. I am their greatest critic.
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The man that brings ant-infested faggots into his hut should not grumble when lizards begin to pay him a visit.
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Every lizard lies on its belly, so we cannot tell which has a belly-ache
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If you ask me, Now, is it your best book? I would say, I don't really know. I wouldn't even want to say. And I'd even go on and say, I don't even think so.
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In my definition I am a protest writer, with restraint.
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People go to Africa and confirm what they already have in their heads and so they fail to see what is there in front of them.
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Poetry and slave trading cannot be bedfellows. That's where I stand.
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Nigeria has had a complicated colonial history. My work has examined that part of our story extensively.
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Literature, whether handed down by word or mouth or in print, gives us a second handle on reality.
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