10 quotes from Chinua Achebe that'll inspire you

Born on this day in 1930, Albert Chinualumogu Achebe, simply known as Chinua Achebe was a renowned novelist, poet, professor, and critic.

He is recognized for his first novel, "Things Fall Apart" which is one of the most widely read books in modern African literature.

Achebe was raised in the Igbo town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria by his parents. He excelled so well in academics as he studied English literature however, he got fascinated with world religions and traditional African cultures and began writing stories as a university student.

Chinua began his career as an employee at the Nigerian Broadcasting Service and was later moved to the metropolis of Lagos. He took on a teaching role as an English teacher at the Merchants of Light school at Oba while he was finding his career path.

His Literary works inspired so many people including the famous Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie whose interest in writing was influenced by him.

Having gained wide recognition with the book “Things fall apart”, other novels he authored include; He No Longer at Ease (1960), Arrow of God (1964), A Man of the People (1966), and Anthills of the Savannah (1987).

Chinua Achebe got married to Christiana Chinwe (Christie) Okoli who was a colleague at the NBU, Enugu where he was transferred to for administrative duties. Despite, their challenges, they had 4 children.

To commemorate his birthday, we share 10 of his famous quotes to inspire you;

1.“If you don't like someone's story, write your own.”


2.“The world is like a Mask dancing. If you want to see it well, you do not stand in one place.”


3.“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.”


4.“Nobody can teach me who I am. You can describe parts of me, but who I am - and what I need - is something I have to find out myself.”


5.“To me, being an intellectual doesn't mean knowing about intellectual issues; it means taking pleasure in them.”


6.“There is no story that is not true.”


7.“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 stool.”


8.“One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised. ”


9.“The world has no end, and what is good among one people is an abomination with others.”


10.“A child cannot pay for its mother’s milk.”