“The world is what it is; men who are nothing, who allow themselves to become nothing, have no place in it.”
This quote emphasizes the significance of ambition and resilience to achieve success in life. The narrator implies that those who are willing to take risks and work hard to achieve their goals will have a place in the world. Those who do not take any initiative, who are content with mediocrity and allow themselves to become nothing, on the other hand, will have no place in the world. The quote also encourages self-improvement and resilience, implying that those with strength and will persevere will find success.
“It made smuggling easy; but I was nervous of getting involved, because a government that breaks its laws can also easily break you.”
The quote discusses how government officials were illegally trading ivory, which made smuggling easier. The narrator is hesitant to get involved because they know that a government that violates its laws can easily violate the laws of others. This reflects the sense of helplessness that many people experience when their government engages in corrupt activities, which can lead to dangerous and unpredictable outcomes for citizens. It also reinforces the notion that absolute power corrupts absolutely because government officials can use their position to engage in illegal activities with impunity. The quote emphasizes the danger of trusting a corrupt government by comparing the officials' actions to ivory poachers and gold thieves and suggests that citizens should be wary of their government's actions.
“He spoke about Africa in an unusual way. He spoke of Africa as though Africa was a sick child and he was the parent.”
This quote describes the narrator's encounter with a wealthy American with an interest in Africa. He compares their circumstances and is initially irritated by the wealthy American's remarks about Africa. He speaks of Africa as if it were a sick child and he was the parent, implying a paternalistic view of the continent. This is a common attitude among wealthy Westerners who believe that money and advice can solve Africa's problems. The narrator's reaction to this attitude reveals his dissatisfaction with the power dynamics at work, as well as his recognition that his lack of wealth and power had made him valuable to the Americans. He realizes that he may be able to use his outsider status to contribute to the conversation about Africa and to challenge the wealthy Americans' simplistic views. This quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing the power dynamics between wealthy and poorer countries, as well as the need to challenge paternalistic attitudes that deny the poorer country's people agency.
“It isn't easy to turn your back on the past. It isn't something you can decide to do just like that. It is something you have to arm yourself for, or grief will ambush and destroy you.”
This quote describes the narrator's encounter with a wealthy American with an interest in Africa. He compares their circumstances and is initially irritated by the wealthy American's remarks about Africa. He speaks of Africa as if it were a sick child and he was the parent, implying a paternalistic view of the continent. This is a common attitude among wealthy Westerners who believe that money and advice can solve Africa's problems. The narrator's reaction to this attitude reveals his dissatisfaction with the power dynamics at work, as well as his recognition that his lack of wealth and power had made him valuable to the Americans. He realizes that he may be able to use his outsider status to contribute to the conversation about Africa and to challenge the wealthy Americans' simplistic views. This quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing the power dynamics between wealthy and poorer countries, as well as the need to challenge paternalistic attitudes that deny the poorer country's people agency.
