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a man should hold his compound together, not plant dissension among his children

At first Onitsha looked very strange to Chike. He could not say who was a thief or kidnapper and who was not. In Umuofia every thief was known, but here even people who lived under the same roof were strangers to one another.

A man does not speak a lie to his son,” he said. “Remember that always. To say My father told me is to swear the greatest oath

A man of worth never gets up to unsay what he said yesterday.

That’s all they cared for,’ [Max] said with a solemn face. ‘Women, cars, landed property. But what else can you expect when intelligent people leave politics to illiterates like Chief Nanga?

The man who brings ant-infested faggots into his hut should not grumble when lizards begin to pay him a visit

A man to whom you do a favor will not understand if you say nothing, make no noise, just walk away. You may cause more trouble by refusing a bribe than by accepting it.

The Ibo people have a proverb that when a man says yes his chi says yes also. Okonkwo said yes very strongly, so his chi agreed. And not only his chi but his clan too, because it judged a man by the work of his hands.

A proud heart can survive general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride. It is more difficult and more bitter when a man fails alone.

When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk.

Real tragedy is never resolved. It goes on hopelessly forever. Conventional tragedy is too easy. The hero dies and we feel a purging of the emotions. A real tragedy takes place in a corner, in an untidy spot, to quote W. H. Auden.

It was like beginning life anew without the vigor and enthusiasm of youth, like learning to become left-handed in old age.