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Illiterate Quotes

The cost of being denied an education.

These illiterate quotes cite real literacy statistics from the Arab world and prison populations, alongside historical schooling gaps in Angola. For related reading, see our Children quotes collection.

I was a street-guy villain. I was a street-corner villain. I was an illiterate villain. All rough edges.

Quotes by Peter Falk

There are nearly one billion illiterate people on Earth.

Quotes by Peter Diamandis

Sixty-six percent is the literacy rate in the Arab world. We have 58 million illiterate among adults in our part of the world.

Quotes by Moza bint Nasser

The majority of people in Angola were not provided with any kind of schooling and were completely illiterate, very badly paid, and treated almost as slaves.

Quotes by Louis Leakey

Angola Quotes

Sixty per cent of people entering prison today are illiterate.

Quotes by Jeffrey Archer

I'm quite illiterate, but I read a lot.

Quotes by J. D. Salinger

Yiddish, originally, in Eastern Europe was considered the language of children, of the illiterate, of women. And 500 years later, by the 19th century, by the 18th century, writers realized that, in order to communicate with the masses, they could...

Quotes by Ilan Stavans

No, I consider myself computer illiterate.

Quotes by Casper Van Dien

I had grandparents who were native Irish speakers, and also, two of the four grandparents were illiterate.

Quotes by Brian Friel

Any Quotes

If the press really thinks Obama is Lincoln, they ought to treat him like they treated Bush, 'cause that's how they treated Lincoln. His critics compared Lincoln to an ape; they called him an illiterate baboon.

Quotes by Ann Coulter

I'm pretty illiterate when it comes to comics history.

Quotes by Alison Bechdel

Violence is the repartee of the illiterate.

Quotes by Alan Brien

Frequently Asked Questions

What literacy statistics appear in these quotes?
One cites a 66% literacy rate in the Arab world alongside 58 million illiterate adults in that region, while another notes 60% of new prisoners are illiterate.
How does Angola factor into this collection?
One quote describes how most people in Angola historically received no schooling and were treated almost as slaves, with widespread illiteracy and low pay. See Angola quotes for more.
Is illiteracy always tied to lack of opportunity?
Mostly, though one speaker frames their own illiteracy more personally, noting they still read a great deal despite the label.
What connection exists between illiteracy and incarceration?
One quote directly links illiteracy to prison populations, suggesting education gaps carry consequences well beyond the classroom.
Why might these statistics matter for understanding illiteracy today?
They show illiteracy as a structural issue tied to schooling access and poverty, not simply an individual failing, a theme also relevant to Children quotes.

One voice even admits to being illiterate while still being a voracious reader in other ways. Continue with Angola quotes and Any quotes.