The relationship with my people, the Nigerian people, is very
The relationship with my people, the Nigerian people, is very good. My relationship with the rulers has always been problematic.
The wise sage Chinua Achebe, teller of truths and keeper of stories, once declared: “The relationship with my people, the Nigerian people, is very good. My relationship with the rulers has always been problematic.” In these words lies the eternal struggle between the voice of the people and the seat of power. Achebe speaks as one rooted in the soil of his homeland, embraced by the hearts of the common folk, yet standing apart from the thrones that claimed dominion.
The people are the lifeblood of a nation, their songs, their sorrows, their dreams flowing together like rivers into the great sea of culture. With them, Achebe shared a bond unshaken, for he spoke their tongue and carried their stories with reverence. To be beloved by the people is to walk in harmony with the earth itself, for their trust is not bought by gold, but earned through truth and compassion.
But the rulers, cloaked in authority and bound by the lust of control, often cast a shadow upon such harmony. Achebe’s words reveal that his path with power was never smooth, for he was not a flatterer of kings nor a servant of unjust decrees. To stand with the people is to risk standing against the rulers, for truth and power are uneasy companions, each seeking to silence the other.
Yet herein lies the teaching: one may dwell in peace with the people and still clash with the rulers, for loyalty to truth surpasses loyalty to thrones. Achebe, like the prophets of old, chose to walk the harder road, bearing the weight of discord with authority so that his bond with the people might remain unbroken.
So remember, O children of the future, that the measure of greatness is not in the favor of the rulers, but in the love of the people. Power fades, crowns crumble, but the voice that speaks for the many shall endure beyond the reign of any king.
GLThanh Giang Le
Chinua Achebe’s perspective on his relationship with both the Nigerian people and the rulers seems to reflect a larger struggle in society between the governed and the government. I wonder—did Achebe see any hope for reconciling these two factions? Or was his stance a form of protest against a system he believed was failing the people? His words make me think about the challenges faced by anyone who dares to speak truth to power.
TDLe Thi Dung
Achebe’s thoughts on his relationship with both the Nigerian people and their rulers provide a fascinating lens into the political landscape of his time. How did these tensions influence his role as a public intellectual? Was his position as a writer affected by his conflicts with the political establishment? I’m curious—how did Achebe navigate this difficult terrain while maintaining his connection with the people he cared about so deeply?
Fflorentino
Achebe’s reflection on his relationship with the rulers seems to suggest a deep frustration with the political structure. But what does it mean to have a good relationship with the people while being at odds with those in power? Does it mean the rulers were out of touch with the people's needs, or did Achebe find their leadership style problematic? This makes me wonder how much personal integrity influences an individual’s relationship with power.
PTPhuong Thao
This quote makes me reflect on how often artists and writers find themselves at odds with political leadership, especially when they are deeply invested in the well-being of their people. It raises the question—should the role of a writer always involve challenging authority, or is it possible to reconcile personal beliefs with the prevailing political systems? I wonder if Achebe ever saw a possibility for unity between the rulers and the ruled in his lifetime.
ACAnh Chu
Achebe's comment about his strained relationship with the rulers stands out. It’s clear that he saw a disconnect between the people and those in power. But I can’t help but wonder—how did this tension shape his work and his views on leadership? Did he use his writing as a way to express these frustrations and attempt to bridge that gap between the people and the rulers?