The Riffian Quotes

“The chief thing,” commenced Ali the Jackal, "is this. We, who sit here in Fez and watch the Christians walk down our streets with great confidence, knocking lesser persons out of their path — we, who say 'yes’ when they demand money, and tremble when they draw us into their Bureaus for questioning, do not realize that there are poor folk in their own land, humble people, many who cannot read and write, who plough their fields as do we, and are content with their own cattle and grain. These people do not lift their chins when they look at us, but treat us with respect, like our own kind. In his own country the Christian is a bull without horns, but when he comes to live among us he grows long hair about his shoulders and takes on the stature of a wild ox.”
― Carleton S. Coon, The Riffian

“Better a dog of the Ait Atta, than Sultan under the French.’’

— Saying of the Middle Atlas”
― Carleton S. Coon, The Riffian