I accepted the interviews and encounters that had to be held with the media, but I would have preferred to work in peace.

Quote by Naguib Mahfouz

Topics: Naguib Mahfouz Quotes

I didn't make any money from my writing until much later. I published about 80...

I didn't make any money from my writing until much later. I published about 80...

Events at home, at work, in the street - these are the bases for a...

Events at home, at work, in the street - these are the bases for a...

Winning Nobel imposed on me a lifestyle to which I am not used and which...

Winning Nobel imposed on me a lifestyle to which I am not used and which...

The writer interweaves a story with his own doubts, questions, and values. That is art.

The writer interweaves a story with his own doubts, questions, and values. That is art.

God did not intend religion to be an exercise club.

God did not intend religion to be an exercise club.

There are no heroes in most of my stories. I look at our society with...

There are no heroes in most of my stories. I look at our society with...

I was suffering from a peculiar and persistent sense that I was being pursued, and...

I was suffering from a peculiar and persistent sense that I was being pursued, and...

Without literature my life would be miserable.

Without literature my life would be miserable.

I defend both the freedom of expression and society's right to counter it. I must...

I defend both the freedom of expression and society's right to counter it. I must...

If the urge to write should ever leave me, I want that day to be...

If the urge to write should ever leave me, I want that day to be...

At my age it is unseemly to be pessimistic.

At my age it is unseemly to be pessimistic.

I thought they would never select an Eastern writer for the Nobel. I was surprised.

I thought they would never select an Eastern writer for the Nobel. I was surprised.

Insults are the business of the court.

Insults are the business of the court.

I wake up early in the morning and walk for an hour. If I have...

I wake up early in the morning and walk for an hour. If I have...

My wife thought I deserved it, but I always thought the Nobel a Western prize.

My wife thought I deserved it, but I always thought the Nobel a Western prize.

Today's interpretations of religion are often backward and contradict the needs of civilization.

Today's interpretations of religion are often backward and contradict the needs of civilization.

We are passing through a very sensitive time, and on the whole, this country is...

We are passing through a very sensitive time, and on the whole, this country is...

My countrymen have the right to shake my hand and talk to me if they...

My countrymen have the right to shake my hand and talk to me if they...

I consider Khomeini's position dangerous. He does not have the right to pass judgment-that is...

I consider Khomeini's position dangerous. He does not have the right to pass judgment-that is...

The Arab world also won the Nobel with me. I believe that international doors have...

The Arab world also won the Nobel with me. I believe that international doors have...