Chinua Achebe Quotes

Citizens, we have reason to fear that the Revolution, like Saturn, will successively devour all its children, and only produce despotism and the calamities which accompany it.

Given the right conditions any society can turn against democracy.

If Saddam were to be replaced tomorrow he would probably be replaced with someone who's just as bad or worse than he is.

Old forms of government finally grow so oppressive, that they must be thrown off even at the risk of reigns of terror.

Given the right conditions, any society can turn against democracy. Indeed, if history is anything to go by, all societies eventually will.

History reminds us that dictators and despots arise during times of severe economic crisis.

Experience shows that the most dangerous moment for a bad government is usually just as its starting on reform.

The Chinese people are not a new kind of human nature. Human nature in China is the same as it is elsewhere. When you start in a tyrannical regime to hand out freedom there is no place to draw that line and expect that line to hold. And so it’s only a matter of time before this regime comes down

The greatest of all evils is a weak government.

If a sovereign oppresses his people to a great degree, they will rise and cut his head off.

Revolutions of state, many times, make way for new institutions and forms; and often determine in either setting up some tyranny at home, or bringing in some conquest from abroad.

One must not forget, however, that Russia had to free herself from the most frightful mis-government ever inflicted upon a long-suffering people.

The good government of one man is the bad government of another

So benevolent, enlightened, wise dictators are the most efficient form of government. The problem is what comes afterwards, right?

In the process of the Arab Spring, we have unfortunately seen a development in Syria where the regime has been oppressing its people.

Democratic governments are not suited to the publication of the thunderous revelations I am in the habit of making. The unpublished parts will appear later... when Europe will have restored its traditional monarchies.

The reign of the tyrant ends with his death, and the reign of the martyr starts with it.

In the relations of a weak Government and a rebellious people there comes a time when every act of the authorities exasperates the masses, and every refusal to act excites their contempt.

An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.

If social stability goes pear-shaped, you have a choice between anarchy and dictatorship. Most people will opt for more security, even if they have to give up some personal freedom.

Anywhere in Latin America there is a potential threat of the pathology of caudillismo and it has to be guarded against.

The old bastions of the post-communist regime collapsed before my very eyes. The monsters who had kept Ukraine in a criminal state left the stage.

British chancellor is telling the rest of Europe it must abandon democracy. It's appalling.

Revolution may not be pro-Western or democratic.

The worst evils which mankind has ever had to endure were inflicted by bad governments.