The man that brings ant-infested faggots into his hut should not grumble when lizards begin to pay him a visit.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that individuals should not complain about the consequences of actions they initiated themselves.
Chinua Achebe's quote emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and awareness of the repercussions that accompany our choices. By bringing trouble or undesirable elements into our lives, we must accept the challenges and issues that arise from our decisions, much like drawing pests to one's home and then being surprised by their presence.
In practice
A teacher might use this quote to illustrate the importance of accountability in a classroom discussion.
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.
You have to have faith that there is a reason you go through certain things. I can't say I'm glad to go through pain, but in a way one must, in order to gain courage and really feel joy.
Tragedy, loss, and hurt often arrive unanticipated. How we react when we are surprised will tell our families whether what we have taught and testified lies deep in our hearts.
Inflowing thoughts come to an end in those who are ever alert of mind, training themselves night and day, and ever intent on nirvana
It is possible to have too much of a good thing.
It is harmful to compare yourself to others. Others will do that for you.
Hammer your thoughts into unity.
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