--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I do not think that there is any time in…" description: "\"I do not think that there is any time in our history when things were perfect. I do not expect such times in the near future either. But I think every ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/chinua-achebe-781_conditions_i-do-not-think-that-there-is-any-time-in_642885.png" --- # I do not think that there is any time in our history when… ![“I do not think that there is any time in our history when things were perfect. I do not expect such times in the near future either. But I think every generation has to examine what needs to be done, what belongs to its peace and proceed. And so what needs to be done will change with time…” quote by Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/chinua-achebe-781_conditions_i-do-not-think-that-there-is-any-time-in_642885.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/chinua-achebe-781_conditions_i-do-not-think-that-there-is-any-time-in_642885.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/chinua-achebe-781_conditions_i-do-not-think-that-there-is-any-time-in_642885.png) > “I do not think that there is any time in our history when things were perfect. I do not expect such times in the near future either. But I think every generation has to examine what needs to be done, what belongs to its peace and proceed. And so what needs to be done will change with time depending on the conditions, whatever the conditions happen to be. And they will not be the same for generation after generation.” [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Progress is not static; each generation must assess its unique challenges and act accordingly. **In simple terms:** Every era faces different needs and must adapt. Key Takeaway Adapt to your time’s demands. Themes change generational responsibility adaptation Mood determined hopeful Type motivational pragmatic When to use this quote - policy making - community planning - education reform - activism Key Concepts Historical relativism social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What current issues require new solutions? - How can we balance tradition with innovation? A Different Perspective Assuming past generations solved problems may overlook persistent issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generation/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“From generation to generation, America should never be the same country.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/from-generation-to-generation-america-should-never-be-the-same-country/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [Generation after generation can't just be loaded with more and more nuclear weapons and not ultimately dance to that music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/generation-after-generation-can-t-just-be-loaded-with-more-and-more/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [“Generation Y are everything you feared. They’re everything your worst nightmares conjured up. They’re lazy, apathetic, unoriginal, scared of innovation, scared of difference, just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarra-manning/generation-y-are-everything-you-feared-they-re-everything-your-worst/) [Sarra Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarra-manning/) > [My job as a mayor is to look 10, 15, 20 years into the future and think not just about my generation, but about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-x-suarez/my-job-as-a-mayor-is-to-look-10-15-20-years-into-the-future-and-think/) [Francis X. Suarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-x-suarez/) > [I always think about the next generation and creating a different blueprint for them. That's my goal: to let them know there's another way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-always-think-about-the-next-generation-and-creating-a-different/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [“Almost every time I speak to teenagers, particularly young female students who want to talk to me about feminism, I find myself staggered by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-penny/almost-every-time-i-speak-to-teenagers-particularly-young-female/) [Laurie Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-penny/) > [I'd like to think that in a generation or two we'll have politicians whose life experience reflects that of the people who are voting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bragg/i-d-like-to-think-that-in-a-generation-or-two-we-ll-have-politicians/) [Billy Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bragg/) > [I don't subscribe to the view that talent is deteriorating. I think every generation is brighter than their previous generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashok-soota/i-don-t-subscribe-to-the-view-that-talent-is-deteriorating-i-think/) [Ashok Soota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashok-soota/) > [I don't think my generation carries the weight of World War II anymore. But I've got to tell you, even if we don't really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-kruger/i-don-t-think-my-generation-carries-the-weight-of-world-war-ii/) [Diane Kruger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-kruger/) > [Actually, I think I'm part of the last generation to grow up believing in magic and fairies and believing I had powers - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/actually-i-think-i-m-part-of-the-last-generation-to-grow-up-believing/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [The only generation that can reach this generation is our generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-j-smith/the-only-generation-that-can-reach-this-generation-is-our-generation/) [Oswald J. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-j-smith/) > [Generation after generation, there is this never-ending, contemptuous, condescending attitude to the next generation or the next way of thinking: music, art, politics, whatever.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-michel-jarre/generation-after-generation-there-is-this-never-ending-contemptuous/) [Jean-Michel Jarre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-michel-jarre/) > [This generation, our generation of people who benefited, must always be the pioneers who look to younger people and say mediocrity is not accommodated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-manuel/this-generation-our-generation-of-people-who-benefited-must-always-be/) Trevor Manuel > [Welcome to my generation, we call it-generation hell-](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mattias-konradsson/welcome-to-my-generation-we-call-it-generation-hell/) [Mattias Konradsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mattias-konradsson/) > [But probably that's the way of the world - when we have finally learned something we're too old to apply it - and so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/but-probably-that-s-the-way-of-the-world-when-we-have-finally-learned/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) ## 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/) [Explore all 368 Chinua Achebe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) ## More Conditions quotes > [One can put some trust in the gratitude of a sovereign, and also in that of his family; under certain conditions, one can even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/one-can-put-some-trust-in-the-gratitude-of-a-sovereign-and-also-in/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [Most celebrated men live in a condition of prostitution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-augustin-sainte-beuve/most-celebrated-men-live-in-a-condition-of-prostitution/) [Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-augustin-sainte-beuve/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. 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It knows and it teaches that it is impossible to find two events that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-bloch/history-is-in-its-essentials-the-science-of-change-it-knows-and-it/) [Marc Bloch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-bloch/) > [The average condition of the people improving or deteriorating, depends upon whether population is advancing faster than improvement, or improvement than population.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/the-average-condition-of-the-people-improving-or-deteriorating/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The God in whose hands are all our days and ways, did cast into my hand one day a book of Martin Luthers; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/the-god-in-whose-hands-are-all-our-days-and-ways-did-cast-into-my/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [It clearly follows that to make men moral it is necessary to make their social environment moral. 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We repeat, not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/importunity-is-a-condition-of-prayer-we-are-to-press-the-matter-not/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [The so-called evils are evils only in relation to a certain thing, and that which is evil in relation to a certain existing thing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maimonides/the-so-called-evils-are-evils-only-in-relation-to-a-certain-thing-and/) [Maimonides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maimonides/) > [Experiences in order to be educative must lead out into an expanding world of subject matter, a subject matter of facts or information and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/experiences-in-order-to-be-educative-must-lead-out-into-an-expanding/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [A social group can, indeed must, already exercise 'leadership' before winning governmental power (this is indeed one of the principal conditions for the winning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-gramsci/a-social-group-can-indeed-must-already-exercise-leadership-before/) [Antonio Gramsci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-gramsci/) > [I'm a Christian because Christianity names and addresses sin. 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