Every lizard lies on its belly, so we cannot tell which has a belly-ache
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the idea that individuals often conceal their true struggles or pains from others, making it difficult to empathize with them.
Chinua Achebe's quote suggests that just as we cannot discern which lizard is suffering simply by observing them lying on their bellies, people too often hide their internal struggles and pains. This metaphor highlights the complexity of human relationships and the challenges we face in truly understanding one another's suffering, which can lead to misconceptions and lack of empathy. It calls for greater attention and sensitivity to the often hidden pain others may experience.
In practice
In a discussion about mental health, one might say, 'Remember, as Achebe said, every lizard lies on its belly, so it's crucial to check in with our friends regularly.'
In fact, I thought that Christianity was very a good and a very valuable thing for us. But after a while, I began to feel that the story that I was told about this religion wasn't perhaps completely whole, that something was left out.
Writers don't give prescriptions. They give headaches!
Mr. Brown had thought of nothing but numbers. He should have known that the kingdom of God did not depend on large crowds. Our Lord Himself stressed the importance of fewness. Narrow is the way and few the number. To fill the Lord's holy temple with an idolatrous crowd clamoring for signs was a folly of everlasting consequence. Our Lord used the whip only once in His life - to drive the crowd away from His church.
It is the storyteller who makes us what we are, who creates history. The storyteller creates the memory that the survivors must have - otherwise their surviving would have no meaning.
Writing has always been a serious business for me. I felt it was a moral obligation. A major concern of the time was the absence of the African voice. Being part of that dialogue meant not only sitting at the table but effectively telling the African story from an African perspective - in full earshot of the world.
An angry man is always a stupid man.
There are some men who are frightened by strong women and some men who are nurtured by them and feel nervous, with weak clinging vines. And I am very much of the latter category.
I want to just be lazy and I want some of the people around me to be doing things, because that makes me feel comfortable and safe - and I want some of them to be doing nothing at all, because they can be graceful and companionable for me.
Perhaps the depth of love can be calibrated by the number of different selves that are actively involved in a given relationship.
No man who respects his mother or loves his sister, can speak disparagingly of any woman; however low she may seem to have sunk, she is still a woman. I want every man to remember this. Every woman is, or, at some time, has been a sister or daughter.
Love, friendship and respect do not unite people as much as a common hatred for something.
Once she was out of the car and gone, my world was suddenly hollow and meaningless.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.