When the crocodile smiles, be extra careful. -Swahili proverb

The African continent has been home to spectacularly eloquent human beings: rebellious anti-colonial leaders and anti-apartheid activists, comical geniuses, pensive and philosophical authors and intellectuals, and raving dictators. Africa's body of proverbial wisdom alone could fill many volumes. Africa is eminently quotable, yet not so readily quoted. Quotable Africa is a resource book of substance, and is long overdue.

Covering the whole of Africa-from North to South and East to West-this book includes memorable words from people like Kofi Annan, Miriam Makeba, VS Naipaul, Paul Theroux, Ernest Hemingway, and thousands of others.