--- title: "19 Want Quotes By Chinua Achebe" description: "19 Want quotes by Chinua Achebe. Plus more from Chinua Achebe and more Want sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/chinua-achebe-781_be-encouraged_a-budding-writer-wants-to-be-encouraged_1839712.png" --- > [A budding writer wants to be encouraged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/a-budding-writer-wants-to-be-encouraged/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/chinua-achebe-781_be-encouraged_a-budding-writer-wants-to-be-encouraged_1839712.png) > [My son even if you want to fall, at least fall where your bones can be gathered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/my-son-even-if-you-want-to-fall-at-least-fall-where-your-bones-can-be/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1c/chinua-achebe-781_bones_my-son-even-if-you-want-to-fall-at-least_25481.png) > [I am against people reaping where they have not sown. But we have a saying that if you want to eat a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/i-am-against-people-reaping-where-they-have-not-sown-but-we-have-a/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbb/chinua-achebe-781_fats_i-am-against-people-reaping-where-they-h_1655049.png) > [If you ask me, Now, is it your best book? I would say, I don't really know. I wouldn't even want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/if-you-ask-me-now-is-it-your-best-book-i-would-say-i-don-t-really/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/067/chinua-achebe-781_ask-me_if-you-ask-me-now-is-it-your-best-book-i_1780346.png) > [The world is like a Mask dancing. If you want to see it well, you do not stand in one place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/the-world-is-like-a-mask-dancing-if-you-want-to-see-it-well-you-do/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7da/chinua-achebe-781_dancing_the-world-is-like-a-mask-dancing-if-you_1702613.png) > [Anybody who wants to rule a group will find that if this group is quarreling among themselves they leave you alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/anybody-who-wants-to-rule-a-group-will-find-that-if-this-group-is/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e65/chinua-achebe-781_groups_anybody-who-wants-to-rule-a-group-will-f_646309.png) > [Once you have really done all you can, then you can show it to people. But I find this is increasingly not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/once-you-have-really-done-all-you-can-then-you-can-show-it-to-people/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/540/chinua-achebe-781_advice_once-you-have-really-done-all-you-can-th_970221.png) > [You don't ever want to say to a young person, You can't, or, You are no good. Some people might be able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/you-don-t-ever-want-to-say-to-a-young-person-you-can-t-or-you-are-no/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ff/chinua-achebe-781_able_you-don-t-ever-want-to-say-to-a-young-pe_183270.png) > [I don't like to see mistakes on the typewriter. I like a perfect script. On the typewriter I will sometimes leave a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/i-don-t-like-to-see-mistakes-on-the-typewriter-i-like-a-perfect/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d4/chinua-achebe-781_bits_i-don-t-like-to-see-mistakes-on-the-type_1483235.png) > [When I was in England, I had seen advertisements about typing agencies; I had learned that if you really want to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/when-i-was-in-england-i-had-seen-advertisements-about-typing-agencies/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/chinua-achebe-781_advertisements_when-i-was-in-england-i-had-seen-adverti_2335299.jpg) > [I think dialects should be left alone. People should write in whatever dialect they feel they want to write. In the fullness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/i-think-dialects-should-be-left-alone-people-should-write-in-whatever/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77c/chinua-achebe-781_dialect_i-think-dialects-should-be-left-alone-pe_2257886.png) > [I'm a practised writer now. But when I began, I had no idea what this was going to be. I just knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/i-m-a-practised-writer-now-but-when-i-began-i-had-no-idea-what-this/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64b/chinua-achebe-781_come_i-m-a-practised-writer-now-but-when-i-be_750633.jpg) > [I don't want to be the one to tell somebody, You will not make it, even though I know that the majority…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/i-don-t-want-to-be-the-one-to-tell-somebody-you-will-not-make-it-even/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/818/chinua-achebe-781_enough_i-don-t-want-to-be-the-one-to-tell-someb_2958415.png) > [If someone said, I want to translate your novel into Igbo, I would say, Go ahead. But when I write in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/if-someone-said-i-want-to-translate-your-novel-into-igbo-i-would-say/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa1/chinua-achebe-781_books_if-someone-said-i-want-to-translate-your_2044615.png) > [For people who are coming out of an oral tradition, it is very exciting to get into reading and writing and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/for-people-who-are-coming-out-of-an-oral-tradition-it-is-very/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/600/chinua-achebe-781_ancestor_for-people-who-are-coming-out-of-an-oral_2739532.jpg) > [We don't want to be simply wandering about without some kind of reason, we want our presence here to have a purpose,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/we-don-t-want-to-be-simply-wandering-about-without-some-kind-of/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0db/chinua-achebe-781_accounts_we-don-t-want-to-be-simply-wandering-abo_2346737.jpg) > [What really worries me is that those who are in positions of power are not really affected by what we are writing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/what-really-worries-me-is-that-those-who-are-in-positions-of-power/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d4/chinua-achebe-781_affected_what-really-worries-me-is-that-those-who_134526.png) > [It's so easy to get into the same routine. A novel every two years; perhaps, improving technique. But I'm not interested in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/it-s-so-easy-to-get-into-the-same-routine-a-novel-every-two-years/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c4/chinua-achebe-781_artist_it-s-so-easy-to-get-into-the-same-routin_312527.jpg) > [When I'm writing, I really want to satisfy myself. I've got a story that I am working on and struggling with, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/when-i-m-writing-i-really-want-to-satisfy-myself-i-ve-got-a-story/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/445/chinua-achebe-781_i-can_when-i-m-writing-i-really-want-to-satisf_984173.png) ## Other authors on Want ## More by Chinua Achebe > [“In such a regime, I say you died a good death if your life had inspired someone to come forward and shoot your murdered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/in-such-a-regime-i-say-you-died-a-good-death-if-your-life-had/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [“Do not despair. I know you will not despair. You have a manly and a proud heart. A proud heart can survive a general…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/do-not-despair-i-know-you-will-not-despair-you-have-a-manly-and-a/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [My son even if you want to fall, at least fall where your bones can be gathered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/my-son-even-if-you-want-to-fall-at-least-fall-where-your-bones-can-be/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [“And so Mr. Brown came to be respected even by the clan, because he trod softly on its faith.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/and-so-mr-brown-came-to-be-respected-even-by-the-clan-because-he-trod/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [“I have learned that a man who makes trouble for others is also making it for himself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/i-have-learned-that-a-man-who-makes-trouble-for-others-is-also-making/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [In fact, I thought that Christianity was very a good and a very valuable thing for us. But after a while, I began to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/in-fact-i-thought-that-christianity-was-very-a-good-and-a-very/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [I find Nigeria very frustrating. I am not alone in this. There are many Nigerians abroad. As you know, the brain drain is just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/i-find-nigeria-very-frustrating-i-am-not-alone-in-this-there-are-many/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [I do not actually see how art, literature can be anything other that being in that domain of trying to tell us, trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/i-do-not-actually-see-how-art-literature-can-be-anything-other-that/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [Democracy is not something you put away for ten years, and then in the 11th year you wake up and start practicing again. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/democracy-is-not-something-you-put-away-for-ten-years-and-then-in-the/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [When there is a big tree small ones climb on its back to reach the sun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/when-there-is-a-big-tree-small-ones-climb-on-its-back-to-reach-the-sun/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [When I began going to school and learned to read, I encountered stories of other people and other lands. In one of my essays,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/when-i-began-going-to-school-and-learned-to-read-i-encountered/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [Almost nobody dances sober, unless they happen to be insane. H. P. LOVECRAFT, attributed, Telling It Like It Is Dancing is very important nowadays.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/almost-nobody-dances-sober-unless-they-happen-to-be-insane-h-p/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [This is why I find racism impossible, because this is against humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/this-is-why-i-find-racism-impossible-because-this-is-against-humanity/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [“Then listen to me,' he said and cleared his throat. 'It's true that a child belongs to its father. But when a father beats…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/then-listen-to-me-he-said-and-cleared-his-throat-it-s-true-that-a/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [What you must accept is that your life is not going to be the same while you are writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/what-you-must-accept-is-that-your-life-is-not-going-to-be-the-same/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/chinua-achebe/#itemlist", "name": "19 Want Quotes By Chinua Achebe", "numberOfItems": 19, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A budding writer wants to be encouraged.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Chinua Achebe" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/a-budding-writer-wants-to-be-encouraged/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/chinua-achebe-781_be-encouraged_a-budding-writer-wants-to-be-encouraged_1839712.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/chinua-achebe-781_be-encouraged_a-budding-writer-wants-to-be-encouraged_1839712.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/chinua-achebe-781_be-encouraged_a-budding-writer-wants-to-be-encouraged_1839712.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A budding writer wants to be encouraged.” — Chinua Achebe", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My son even if you want to fall, at least fall where your bones can be gathered", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Chinua Achebe" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/my-son-even-if-you-want-to-fall-at-least-fall-where-your-bones-can-be/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1c/chinua-achebe-781_bones_my-son-even-if-you-want-to-fall-at-least_25481.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1c/chinua-achebe-781_bones_my-son-even-if-you-want-to-fall-at-least_25481.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1c/chinua-achebe-781_bones_my-son-even-if-you-want-to-fall-at-least_25481.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My son even if you want to fall, at least fall where your bones can be gathered” — Chinua Achebe", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I am against people reaping where they have not sown. 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But I find this is increasingly not the case with the younger people. They do a first draft and want somebody to finish it off for them with good advice.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Chinua Achebe" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/once-you-have-really-done-all-you-can-then-you-can-show-it-to-people/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/540/chinua-achebe-781_advice_once-you-have-really-done-all-you-can-th_970221.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/540/chinua-achebe-781_advice_once-you-have-really-done-all-you-can-th_970221.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/540/chinua-achebe-781_advice_once-you-have-really-done-all-you-can-th_970221.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Once you have really done all you can, then you can show it to people. 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People should write in whatever dialect they feel they want to write. In the fullness of time, these dialects will sort themselves out.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Chinua Achebe" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/i-think-dialects-should-be-left-alone-people-should-write-in-whatever/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77c/chinua-achebe-781_dialect_i-think-dialects-should-be-left-alone-pe_2257886.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77c/chinua-achebe-781_dialect_i-think-dialects-should-be-left-alone-pe_2257886.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77c/chinua-achebe-781_dialect_i-think-dialects-should-be-left-alone-pe_2257886.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think dialects should be left alone. 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But when I write in the Igbo language, I write my own dialect. I write some poetry in that dialect.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Chinua Achebe" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/if-someone-said-i-want-to-translate-your-novel-into-igbo-i-would-say/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa1/chinua-achebe-781_books_if-someone-said-i-want-to-translate-your_2044615.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa1/chinua-achebe-781_books_if-someone-said-i-want-to-translate-your_2044615.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa1/chinua-achebe-781_books_if-someone-said-i-want-to-translate-your_2044615.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If someone said, I want to translate your novel into Igbo, I would say, Go ahead. 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