Very conscious of the fact that an effort was being made to destroy my mind, because I was deprived of books, deprived of any means of writing, deprived of human companionship. You never know how much you need it until…

Quote by Wole Soyinka

Topics: Wole Soyinka Quotes

The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.

The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.

But the ultimate lesson is just sit down and write. That's all.

But the ultimate lesson is just sit down and write. That's all.

The hand that dips into the bottom of the pot will eat the biggest snail.

The hand that dips into the bottom of the pot will eat the biggest snail.

[It] takes a jaundiced view of the much-vaunted glorious past of Africa. And I suppose...

[It] takes a jaundiced view of the much-vaunted glorious past of Africa. And I suppose...

Even when I'm writing plays I enjoy having company and mentally I think of that...

Even when I'm writing plays I enjoy having company and mentally I think of that...

I think that feeling that if one believed absolutely in any cause, then one must...

I think that feeling that if one believed absolutely in any cause, then one must...

But theater, because of its nature, both text, images, multimedia effects, has a wider base...

But theater, because of its nature, both text, images, multimedia effects, has a wider base...

The novel, for me, was an accident. I really don't consider myself a novelist.

The novel, for me, was an accident. I really don't consider myself a novelist.

And gradually they're beginning to recognize the fact that there's nothing more secure than a...

And gradually they're beginning to recognize the fact that there's nothing more secure than a...

One, a mass movement from within, which, as you know, is constantly being put down...

One, a mass movement from within, which, as you know, is constantly being put down...

I'm not one of those writers I learned about who get up in the morning,...

I'm not one of those writers I learned about who get up in the morning,...

I consider the process of gestation just as important as when you're actually sitting down...

I consider the process of gestation just as important as when you're actually sitting down...

There's something about the theater which makes my fingertips tingle.

There's something about the theater which makes my fingertips tingle.

Looking at faces of people, one gets the feeling there's a lot of work to...

Looking at faces of people, one gets the feeling there's a lot of work to...

Well, first of all I'll say that I come alive best in theater.

Well, first of all I'll say that I come alive best in theater.

I don't really consider myself a novelist, it just came out purely by accident.

I don't really consider myself a novelist, it just came out purely by accident.

One thing I can tell you is this, that I am not a methodical writer.

One thing I can tell you is this, that I am not a methodical writer.

Power is domination, control, and therefore a very selective form of truth which is a...

Power is domination, control, and therefore a very selective form of truth which is a...

Books and all forms of writing are terror to those who wish to suppress the...

Books and all forms of writing are terror to those who wish to suppress the...

I grew up in an atmosphere where words were an integral part of culture.

I grew up in an atmosphere where words were an integral part of culture.