Wole Soyinka Quotes

Nigerian writer (born 1934)

Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka (born 13 July 1934) is a Nigerian playwright, poet, novelist, essayist and pro-democracy activist. In 1986 he became the first African winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.

From: Wikiquote (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Native Name: Akínwándé Olúwọlé Babátúndé Ṣóyíinká

Alternative Names: Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka • Akinwande Oluwole "Wole" Soyinka

From Wikidata (CC0)

We lift the King's umbrella higher than men but it never pushes the sun in the face.

Only a foolish child lets a father prostrate to him.

It is a mindless clown who dispenses thanks as a fowl scatters meal not caring where it falls.

It was our fathers who said, not I - a crown is a burden when the king visits his favourite's chambers. When the king's wrapper falls off in audience, wise men know he wants to be left alone.

The nude shanks of a king is not a sight for children - it will blind them.

A shilling's vegetable must appease a halfpenny spice.

A King does not become a menial just because he puts down his crown to eat.

The descendants of our great forebears...let them symbolize all that is noble in our nation."

The guests we were sent are slaves and lackeys. They have only come to undermine our strength. To preach to us how ignoble we are.

When your businessmen ruin the lesser ones, do you go crying to them?"

Doesn't she look like the type that would drive men to madness and self-destruction?

Recognition is the curse I carry with me.

"I have a particular aversion to being mauled by women

Why don't you confess it? You are the type who would rather die in your bed.

Adenebi becomes defensive and says, "Have you no feeling for those who died?"