The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably… - Chinua Achebe

" "
The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.

Chinua Achebe

This quote has a book source. Sign up to see titles and page references

okonwo things-fall-apart

English

Collect this quote

About Chinua Achebe

Chinua Achebe (November 16, 1930 – March 21, 2013) was a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic. His first novel, Things Fall Apart (1958), is the most widely read book in modern African literature.

Biography information from Wikiquote

Also Known As

Alternative Names: Albert Chinualumogu Achebe • Albert Chinụalụmọgụ Achebe

All quotes from Chinua Achebe Similar Quotes by other Originators

Originators like Chinua Achebe:

John Steinbeck James A. Michener Louis L'Amour Mark Twain Ursula K. Le Guin

Additional quotes by Chinua Achebe

The Ibo people have a proverb that when a man says yes his chi says yes also. Okonkwo said yes very strongly, so his chi agreed. And not only his chi but his clan too, because it judged a man by the work of his hands.

A man to whom you do a favor will not understand if you say nothing, make no noise, just walk away. You may cause more trouble by refusing a bribe than by accepting it.

Real tragedy is never resolved. It goes on hopelessly forever. Conventional tragedy is too easy. The hero dies and we feel a purging of the emotions. A real tragedy takes place in a corner, in an untidy spot, to quote W. H. Auden.

The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has … - Chinua Achebe

About Chinua Achebe

Also Known As

Additional quotes by Chinua Achebe