Quote by Wole Soyinka: “Truth is the only justification for existence.”

This profound statement asserts that living authentically and honestly is the fundamental purpose of human life. It suggests that without truth, whether in our actions or beliefs, our very being lacks meaning and validity, making integrity paramount to one's existence and purpose.

From his prison memoirs, 'The Man Died,' this quote reflects Soyinka's conviction while enduring solitary confinement for his opposition to the Nigerian Civil War. His belief in truth as an essential human right and a foundation for society was solidified during this period of extreme hardship and injustice.

Nigerian playwright, poet, and novelist who became the first African writer to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, awarded in 1986. His plays, including Death and the King's Horseman and A Dance of the Forests, blend Yoruba mythology with political critique. He was imprisoned by the Nigerian government during the Biafran war.