They have not always elected the best leaders, particularly after a long period in which they have not used this facility of free election. You tend to lose the habit.

There is a moral obligation, I think, not to ally oneself with power against the powerless.

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 own stool.

I prefer to go on trying all kinds of things, not to be told, This is the way it is done.

What you must accept is that your life is not going to be the same while you are writing.

Every generation must recognize and embrace the task it is peculiarly designed by history and by providence to perform.

The world is large,” said Okonkwo. “I have even heard that in some tribes a man’s children belong to his wife and her family.” “That cannot be,” said Machi. “You might as well say that the woman lies on top of the man when they are making the babies.