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.
It made me start to wonder if there were other people so lonely so close. I thought about βEleanor Rigby.β Itβs true, where do they all come from? And where do they all belong?
Whenever I talk to anyone I care about, I am always seeking approval. There is always a pleading lilt in my voice that demands love. Even the people I work with, the ones I am supposed to have a professional relationship with, all business, get pulled into my need. I can't help it. I want to be adored.
Christ assigns as a duty to every man the dignity of every woman: and simultaneously... He also assigns to every woman the dignity of every man.
There is a destiny which makes us brothers; none goes his way alone. All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own.
I feel what they feel. And people who listen to me know that, and it makes them feel like they're not alone.
I do not think I responded immediately, for it took me a moment or two to fully digest these words of Miss Kenton. Moreover, as you might appreciate, their implications were such as to provoke a certain degree of sorrow within me. Indeed- why should I not admit it? - at that moment, my heart was breaking.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.