Arundhati Roy is a renowned Indian writer, activist, and environmentalist. She is the author of several acclaimed books, such as The God of Small Things, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, and The Algebra of Infinite Justice. Arundhati is also a recipient of the Booker Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the Sahitya Akademi Award. She is known for her outspoken criticism of the Indian government, corporate power, and neoliberalism. She is also a vocal advocate for human rights, democracy, and social justice.
Her thoughts are powerful and poetic. They reflect her deep insights into the world and her compassion for the oppressed. Arundhati Roy quotes are not only informative but also inspiring. They challenge us to think critically, to question our assumptions, and to act courageously. Here are 15 Arundhati Roy quotes that will inspire you.
- “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. Maybe many of us won’t be here to greet her, but on a quiet day, if I listen very carefully, I can hear her breathing.”
This quote is a part of Roy’s speech to the Occupy Movement in 2011. It implies that even though many people might not live to see the change they want, they can still feel its presence and possibility. It also encourages the reader to resist the dominant system of oppression and injustice and to imagine and create alternatives.
- “Nationalism of one kind or another was the cause of most of the genocide of the 20th century.”
Many of the violent and cruel deaths that happened in the 20th century were caused by people who wanted to make their own nation or group stronger or more powerful than others. They did not respect or care about the rights, cultures, or lives of other people who belonged to different nations or groups.
- “That’s what careless words do. They make people love you a little less.”
The quote underlines the destructive potential of careless, careless words uttered in relationships. It emphasizes how these remarks can erode the foundation of love, gradually weakening affection and trust. In short, thoughtless remarks are like little pebbles thrown at a heart – each one leaves a small mark, and those marks chip away at the love over time.
- “There’s nothing such as the ‘voiceless’. There are only the deliberately silenced, or the preferably unheard.”
This quote is from her book, The Algebra of Infinite Justice. There are no people who have nothing to say or no way to say it. There are only people who are prevented from speaking by others who have more power or influence or people who are ignored by others who do not want to listen to them.
- “Pity the nation that has to silence its writers for speaking their minds.”
The quote means that a nation that does not allow its writers to express their opinions freely is a nation that is afraid of the truth and the power of words. Writers are often the ones who challenge the status quo, expose the injustices, and inspire the people. A nation that has to silence its writers is a nation that is weak, oppressive, and pitiful.
- “The most important thing in life-love-has been reduced by half since I was born.”
This quote is from an essay, The End of Imagination. Arundhati Roy implies that the world has become more selfish, violent, or indifferent and that people have lost their ability to love each other deeply and sincerely. She expresses her sadness or disappointment about not finding or keeping love in her own life.
- “The trouble with history is that it’s always been re-written.”
This quote is from her book, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. It means that history is often changed or distorted by those who have the power or the interest to do so, for various political, ideological, or cultural reasons. She implies that history is not a reliable source of truth, but a contested and controversial field of debate.
- “The amassing of unfettered wealth of individuals and corporations should stop. The inheritance of rich people’s wealth by their children should stop. The expropriators should have their wealth expropriated and distributed.”
The quote by Arundhati Roy means that she is against the extreme inequality and concentration of wealth that exists in the world today. She thinks that the rich and powerful should not be able to keep or pass on their money and power and that they should be taken away from them and shared with the rest of society.
- “If we were to lose the ability to be emotional, if we were to lose the ability to be angry, to be outraged, we would be robots.”
This quote tells us that Arundhati Roy values the ability to feel emotions, especially those that show resistance or dissent against injustice or oppression. She thinks that emotions are what make us human and distinguish us from machines. She refuses to lose her emotions or let them be controlled by others.
- “Change is one thing. Acceptance in another.”
The quote implies that it is not enough to just change something in your life or the world. You also have to accept the consequences and implications of that change and be willing to adapt and adjust to the new situation. Sometimes, change can be hard or painful, and acceptance can be even harder or more painful.
- “The most powerful weapon in the world today is not nuclear weapons or even guns. It’s information.”
The quote by Arundhati Roy means that information is more important and influential than physical weapons in the world today. She suggests that information can shape people’s opinions, actions, and decisions and that those who have access to or control over information have more power than those who have nuclear weapons or guns.
- “And there it was again. Another religion turned against itself. Another edifice constructed by the human mind, decimated by human nature.”
Roy has witnessed examples of how religion became corrupted or violent because of the actions of its followers. She compares religion to a building that was built by human intelligence and creativity but destroyed by human flaws and passions. She implies that religion is not the problem, but the way people use it or abuse it.
- “Some things come with their own punishments.”
Some actions or choices have negative consequences that are inherent or inevitable. She suggests that some people suffer from their own mistakes or wrongdoings, without needing any external punishment or judgment. She implies that some punishments are self-inflicted and unavoidable.
- “Wars are never fought for altruistic reasons.”
The quote is a part of Roy’s essay ‘Not Again’, published in 2002. It challenges the common assumption that wars are justified by noble or humanitarian causes and exposes the hidden interests and agendas of those who wage them. It questions the propaganda and rhetoric that are used to persuade or manipulate the public to support wars.
- “There are things that can be forgotten. And things that cannot-that sit on dusty shelves like stuffed birds with baleful sideways staring eyes.”
This quote suggests that some memories or experiences are easy to forget or let go of, while others are hard to erase or ignore. She compares the latter to stuffed birds that are left on dusty shelves, looking at the world with sad or angry eyes. She implies that these things haunt or torment the person who cannot forget them.
Arundhati Roy is a famous writer and activist from India. She writes books and essays that tell the truth about the world and the people who suffer in it. She also speaks out against the powerful people and systems that cause harm and injustice. Arundhati Roy quotes are full of wisdom, beauty, and courage. The quotes make us think and feel deeply. They inspire us to act and change. They are the voice of hope and resistance.
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