I wouldn't put myself under the democratic dictatorship even of angels and archangels. - Chinua Achebe

It’s true that a child belongs to its father. But when a father beats his child, it seeks sympathy in its mother’s hut. A man belongs to his fatherland when things are good and life is sweet. But when there is sorrow and bitterness he finds refuge in his motherland. Your mother is there to protect you. She is buried there. And that is why we say that mother is supreme.

Among the Ibo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten.

When mother-cow is chewing grass its young ones watch its mouth