Born a Crime, Trevor Noah’s captivating memoir, offers a vivid portrayal of his childhood in South Africa during the apartheid era.
Through a collection of touching and often funny anecdotes, Noah explores the intricacies of race, identity, and family while growing up as the son of a white father and a black mother, a situation considered illegal under apartheid laws.
The quotes from this memoir sum up the challenges he faced, the strength of his mother, and the deep lessons learned from his experiences.
Top Born a Crime Quotes
Trevor Noah’s “Born a Crime” offers a unique blend of humor and heartfelt reflection on his experiences growing up in apartheid South Africa. These quotes encapsulate the core themes of the book, providing wisdom and insights that resonate deeply.
“Comfort can be dangerous. Comfort provides a floor but also a ceiling.” – Trevor Noah
“Language, even more than color, defines who you are to people.” – Trevor Noah
“We tell people to follow their dreams, but you can only dream of what you can imagine.” – Trevor Noah
“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.” – Trevor Noah
“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.” – Trevor Noah
“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.” – Trevor Noah
“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.” – Trevor Noah
“Nelson Mandela once said, ‘If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.'” – Trevor Noah
“But the real world doesn’t go away. Racism exists. People are getting hurt. And just because it’s not happening to you, doesn’t mean it’s not happening.” – Trevor Noah
“I was blessed with another trait I inherited from my mother, her ability to forget the pain in life.” – Trevor Noah
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Born a Crime Quotes on Identity and Race
Exploring the intricate layers of identity and race, Trevor Noah’s memoir provides profound insights into how these social constructs shape lives and societies. Here are several impactful quotes from “Born a Crime” that delve deeper into these themes:
“In any society built on institutionalized racism, race-mixing doesn’t merely challenge the system as unjust, it reveals the system as unsustainable and incoherent.” – Trevor Noah
“Racism teaches us that we are different because of the color of our skin. But because racism is stupid, it’s easily tricked.” – Trevor Noah
“When I look back, I realize she raised me like a white kid—not white culturally, but in the sense of believing that the world was my oyster.” – Trevor Noah
“My mother never referred to my dad as white or to me as mixed. So when other kids in Soweto called me ‘white,’ even though I was light brown, I just thought they had their colors mixed up.” – Trevor Noah
“Language brings with it an identity and a culture, or at least the perception of it. A shared language says ‘We’re the same.’ A language barrier says ‘We’re different.’” – Trevor Noah
“As a kid, I understood that people were different colors, but in my head white and black and brown were like types of chocolate.” – Trevor Noah
“I was taught from a young age that my existence itself was a crime. That I was born a crime.” – Trevor Noah
“You’re taught from a young age that things are as they are; adults shape the reality of your world, but when you’re young enough, you question what they say because you still wonder. You’re born questioning.” – Trevor Noah
“The first time I learned about apartheid was when I was getting beaten up for it.” – Trevor Noah
“Apartheid was perfect racism. It took centuries to develop, but it achieved its goal: It made a second-class citizen out of a man whose subjugation was necessary for the nation’s survival.” – Trevor Noah
Born a Crime Quotes on Apartheid and Injustice
Trevor Noah’s reflections on apartheid and injustice provide profound insights into the systemic discrimination that shaped South Africa. These quotes illuminate the harsh realities and enduring impacts of such an oppressive system.
“In any society built on institutionalized racism, race-mixing doesn’t merely challenge the system as unjust, it reveals the system as unsustainable and incoherent.” – Trevor Noah
“What I do remember, what I will never forget, is the violence that followed. The triumph of democracy over apartheid is sometimes called the Bloodless Revolution. It is called that because very little white blood was spilled. Black blood ran in the streets.” – Trevor Noah
“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.” – Trevor Noah
“Racism teaches us that we are different because of the color of our skin. But because racism is stupid, it’s easily tricked.” – Trevor Noah
“But the real world doesn’t go away. Racism exists. People are getting hurt. And just because it’s not happening to you, doesn’t mean it’s not happening.” – Trevor Noah
“So many black families spend all of their time trying to fix the problems of the past. That is the curse of being black and poor, and it is a curse that follows you from generation to generation.” – Trevor Noah
“You want to live in a world where someone is good or bad. Where you either hate them or love them. But that’s not how people are.” – Trevor Noah
“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. It would be a whole lot harder for an investment banker to rip off people with subprime mortgages if he actually had to live with the people he was ripping off.” – Trevor Noah
“The name Hitler does not offend a black South African because Hitler is not the worst thing a black South African can imagine.” – Trevor Noah
“The hood made me realize that crime succeeds because crime does the one thing the government doesn’t do: crime cares. Crime is grassroots. Crime looks for the young kids who need support and a lifting hand. Crime offers internship programmes and part-time jobs and opportunities for advancement. Crime gets involved in the community. Crime doesn’t discriminate.” – Trevor Noah
Born a Crime Quotes on Education and Knowledge
Education and knowledge are recurring themes in Trevor Noah’s narrative, highlighting their power to transform lives and challenge societal norms.
“My mom did what school didn’t. She taught me how to think.” – Trevor Noah
“We tell people to follow their dreams, but you can only dream of what you can imagine, and, depending on where you come from, your imagination can be quite limited.” – Trevor Noah
“Nelson Mandela once said, ‘If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language that goes to his heart.’ He was so right.” – Trevor Noah
“Language, even more than color, defines who you are to people.” – Trevor Noah
“You spend time with people, you observe them and interact with them, and you come to know them—and that is what apartheid stole from us: time.” – Trevor Noah
“Education, or lack thereof, determines your level of superstition.” – Trevor Noah
“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. The richer you are, the more choices you have. That is the freedom of money.” – Trevor Noah
“If you think too much about the ass kicking your mom gave you or the ass kicking that life gave you, you’ll stop pushing the boundaries and breaking the rules. It’s better to take it, spend some time crying, then wake up the next day and move on.” – Trevor Noah
“Whilst my mother couldn’t give me access to the world, she at least made sure to let me know it existed. A kid cannot dream of being an astronaut if he does not know about space.” – Trevor Noah
“Learn from your past and be better because of your past, but don’t cry about your past. Life is full of pain. Let the pain sharpen you, but don’t hold on to it. Don’t be bitter.” – Trevor Noah
Born a Crime Quotes on Cultural Differences
Trevor Noah’s insights into cultural differences shed light on the complexities of navigating multiple identities in a divided society. These reflections are not only poignant but also imbued with the humor and wisdom that characterize his storytelling.
“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.” – Trevor Noah
“The hood made me realize that crime succeeds because crime does the one thing the government doesn’t do: crime cares. Crime is grassroots. Crime looks for the young kids who need support and a lifting hand. Crime offers internship programmes and part-time jobs and opportunities for advancement. Crime gets involved in the community. Crime doesn’t discriminate.” – Trevor Noah
“I learned that language, even more than color, defines who you are to people.” – Trevor Noah
“In South Africa, you can only be one thing, either you’re this or you’re that.” – Trevor Noah
“Apartheid was perfect racism. It took centuries to develop, but it achieved its goal: It made a second-class citizen out of a man whose subjugation was necessary for the nation’s survival.” – Trevor Noah
“You’re taught from a young age that things are as they are; adults shape the reality of your world, but when you’re young enough, you question what they say because you still wonder. You’re born questioning.” – Trevor Noah
“As a mixed person, you get the grief from the racists, and you’re not embraced by the black community.” – Trevor Noah
“Being chosen is the greatest gift you can give to another human being.” – Trevor Noah
“Everything I have ever done I’ve done from a place of love. If I don’t punish you, the world will punish you even worse.” – Trevor Noah
“The first time I learned about apartheid was when I was getting beaten up for it.” – Trevor Noah
Born a Crime Quotes on Language and Communication
Language and communication are pivotal themes in Noah’s memoir, highlighting their power to both bridge and divide. His observations offer a deep dive into the role language plays in shaping personal and collective identity.
“Language brings with it an identity and a culture, or at least the perception of it. A shared language says ‘We’re the same.’ A language barrier says ‘We’re different.’” – Trevor Noah
“Nelson Mandela once said, ‘If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.’” – Trevor Noah
“I was an outsider, which made me an observer.” – Trevor Noah
“You spend time with people, you observe them and interact with them, and you come to know them—and that is what apartheid stole from us: time.” – Trevor Noah
“The great thing about language is that you can just as easily use it to promote falsehoods as you can to promote truth.” – Trevor Noah
“Language, even more than color, defines who you are to people. It says more about you than your skin.” – Trevor Noah
“My mother taught me English first so that I’d have the advantage of sounding ‘white’ when I need to.” – Trevor Noah
“You know how Trevor learns languages? By getting a new girlfriend! I got a Zulu girlfriend, and now I’m fluent.” – Trevor Noah
“In South Africa, speaking another man’s language is a powerful gesture. It says, ‘I wish to understand you, I am your friend.’” – Trevor Noah
“We had to learn to adapt to every cultural scenario; we had to learn to look, listen, and then act.” – Trevor Noah
Born a Crime Quotes on Struggle and Survival
Trevor Noah’s narrative is punctuated with tales of struggle and survival, each story echoing the resilience required to navigate a life framed by apartheid’s harsh realities. These quotes reflect the perseverance and grit that define his journey.
“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.” – Trevor Noah
“But the real world doesn’t go away. Racism exists. People are getting hurt. And just because it’s not happening to you, doesn’t mean it’s not happening.” – Trevor Noah
“Comfort can be dangerous. Comfort provides a floor but also a ceiling.” – Trevor Noah
“You want to live in a world where someone is good or bad. Where you either hate them or love them. But that’s not how people are.” – Trevor Noah
“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.” – Trevor Noah
“I was blessed with another trait I inherited from my mother, her ability to forget the pain in life.” – Trevor Noah
“My mother taught me how to fight, how to survive. She taught me how to be tough, and when to be soft.” – Trevor Noah
“I grew up understanding in my bones that there were two ways out of our struggle: education or something miraculous.” – Trevor Noah
“The hood made me realize that crime succeeds because crime does the one thing the government doesn’t do: crime cares.” – Trevor Noah
“In society, we do horrible things to one another because we don’t see the person it affects.” – Trevor Noah
Born a Crime Quotes on Empathy and Understanding
Empathy and understanding are powerful themes in “Born a Crime,” where Noah explores the deep human connections that can overcome even the most divisive societal barriers. These quotes showcase his insight into empathy as a bridge between diverse experiences.
“Nelson Mandela once said, ‘If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.’” – Trevor Noah
“If we could see one another’s pain and empathize with one another, it would never be worth it to us to commit the crimes in the first place.” – Trevor Noah
“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.’ That’s the part of the analogy that’s missing.” – Trevor Noah
“Language, even more than color, defines who you are to people.” – Trevor Noah
“My mother always said, ‘Don’t cry about your past. Life is full of pain. Let the pain sharpen you, but don’t hold on to it.'” – Trevor Noah
“We tell people to follow their dreams, but you can only dream of what you can imagine.” – Trevor Noah
“You spend time with people, you observe them and interact with them, and you come to know them—and that is what apartheid stole from us: time.” – Trevor Noah
“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.” – Trevor Noah
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” – Trevor Noah
“Empathy is the only way to truly understand someone else’s experience.” – Trevor Noah
Born a Crime Quotes on Dreams and Aspirations
Dreams and aspirations form a central theme in Trevor Noah’s memoir, highlighting his journey from a challenging upbringing to global recognition. These quotes inspire us to reach beyond our circumstances.
“We tell people to follow their dreams, but you can only dream of what you can imagine, and, depending on where you come from, your imagination can be quite limited.” – Trevor Noah
“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.” – Trevor Noah
“You can’t just exist in this life. You have to try to live.” – Trevor Noah
“If you write the story beautifully enough, sometimes the truth gets lost in the writing.” – Trevor Noah
“In life, we’re all forced to make decisions without knowing what the outcomes will be.” – Trevor Noah
“You don’t own the thing that you love, it owns you.” – Trevor Noah
“I grew up in a world of possibility when I was told there was none, thanks to my mom’s unrelenting love and belief in a brighter future.” – Trevor Noah
“Sometimes you find yourself trying so hard to get something that, by the time you get it, you realize that you don’t want it anymore.” – Trevor Noah
“My mother always used to say, ‘The higher you climb, the more you can see and the further you can see’.” – Trevor Noah
“Don’t aspire to make a living, aspire to make a difference.” – Trevor Noah
Born a Crime Quotes on Forgiveness and Healing
Forgiveness and healing are crucial in overcoming the past, a recurring theme in Noah’s recounting of his life experiences. Here, he delves into the importance of letting go and moving forward.
“Learn from your past and be better because of your past, but don’t cry about your past. Life is full of pain. Let the pain sharpen you, but don’t hold on to it.” – Trevor Noah
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” – Trevor Noah
“I was blessed with another trait I inherited from my mother: her ability to forget the pain in life.” – Trevor Noah
“Forgiveness was a gift—a precious gift that gave him the power to achieve in spite of his past.” – Trevor Noah
“When you hold onto people, you create more pain. Let them go, and let the pain go with them.” – Trevor Noah
“Healing is not just repairing the past, it is preparing for a new future.” – Trevor Noah
“Sometimes forgiveness is a journey. You can’t force it, you can’t demand it. It comes in its own time.” – Trevor Noah
“Understanding is deeper than knowledge. There are many people who know us, but very few who understand us.” – Trevor Noah
“True reconciliation does not consist in merely forgetting the past.” – Trevor Noah
“Forgiveness liberates the soul, it removes fear.” – Trevor Noah
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Final Thoughts
The quotes from “Born a Crime” resonate with readers, and provide useful insights into the human experience and the effect of systemic injustice.
Trevor Noah’s reflections on individuality, family, and the power of laughter in overcoming hardship remind you of the strength of the human spirit.
As you ponder on these quotes, you are encouraged to embrace your own identities, recognize the value of compassion, and strive for understanding.