“Even ivory towers need central heating.”

“Leaving traces of ourselves, as in creative productivity, could then be seen as part of the definition of consciousness for us as well. We know that in order to progress we must stretch for something just out of reach--if only for a life that will be more compassionate and decent than the cruelty, paranoia, greed, narrow corporatism, or narcissism we mostly indulge in and find such ample justification for. And so we dream.”

“To be an African is not a choice, it is a condition… To be an African is not through lack of being integrated in Europe… neither is it from regret of the crimes perpetrated by “my people”… No, it is simply the only opening I have for making use of all my sense and capabilities… The African earth was the first to speak. I have been pronounced once and for all.”

“The commonest ivory tower is that of the average man, the state of passivity towards experience.”

“Sleeping with another girl does not always mean you are a lesbian, sometimes it just means the central heating needs fixing”

“I have always tried to live in an ivory tower, but a tide of shit is beating at its walls, threatening to undermine it.”

“Jan built herself an ivory tower to keep the wolves out; she never dreamed they were already inside.”