Trevor Noah, the renowned South African comedian, actor, and television host, has captivated audiences worldwide with his unique brand of humor and insightful social commentary. Born a Crime, his critically acclaimed autobiography, delves into his experiences growing up in apartheid-era South Africa. Through his poignant and thought-provoking quotes, Trevor Noah offers profound insights into race, identity, and the power of laughter. In this article, we explore some of the most memorable Trevor Noah quotes from his book, Born a Crime.
Read these Trevor Noah quotes from Born a Crime
1. “It’s easier to be an insider as an outsider because you can see things that people who have been there their whole lives wouldn’t see.”
2. “Language, even more than color, defines who you are to people.”
3. “I became a chameleon. My color didn’t change, but I could change your perception of my color.”
4. “The genius of apartheid was convincing people who were the overwhelming majority to turn on each other.”
5. “Being chosen is the greatest gift you can give to another human being.”
6. “Laughter, it turns out, is the most contagious of all emotions.”
7. “We tell people to follow their dreams, but you can only dream of what you can imagine.”
8. “People love to say, ‘Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll eat for a lifetime.’ What they don’t say is, ‘And it would be nice if you gave him a fishing rod.'”
9. “It’s not what you know, it’s how you tell it. Storytelling is the most powerful tool we have as human beings.”
10. “The world doesn’t love you. If the police get you, the police don’t love you. When I beat you, I’m trying to save you. When they beat you, they’re trying to kill you.”
11. “The name Hitler does not offend a black South African because Hitler is not the worst thing a black South African can imagine. Every country thinks their history is the most important, and that’s especially true in the West.”
12. “If you’re Native American and you pray to the wolves, you’re a savage. If you’re African and you pray to your ancestors, you’re a primitive. But when white people pray to a guy who turns water into wine, well, that’s just common sense.”
13. “In the hood, if you’re an outsider, you’re an easy target. If you’re an insider, you can blend in, and if you blend in, you can survive.”
14. “I don’t regret anything I’ve ever done in life, any choice that I’ve made. But I’m consumed with regret for the things I didn’t do, the choices I didn’t make, the things I didn’t say.”
15. “We live in a world where we don’t see the ramifications of what we do to others because we don’t live with them.”
16. “It’s a strange thing when your reality is someone else’s fantasy.”
17. “The first thing I learned about having money was that it gives you choices. People don’t want to be rich. They want to be able to choose.”
18. “The only way we’ll ever get through this [racism] is together.”
19. “The hood made me realize that crime succeeds because crime does the one thing the government doesn’t do: crime cares.”
20. “In the real world, nothing happens at the right place at the right time. It is the job of journalists and historians to correct that.”
In conclusion, Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime is a remarkable memoir that not only offers a glimpse into his extraordinary life but also provides profound insights into the complexities of race, identity, and the power of laughter. These selected quotes are just a glimpse of the wisdom and wit that Trevor Noah brings to his storytelling. By reading his book, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in and the importance of embracing our differences. Let Trevor Noah’s words inspire us to challenge societal norms and strive for a more inclusive and compassionate world.
