For me, poetry is a situation - a state of being, a way of facing life and facing history.

Quote by Tahar Ben Jelloun

Topics: Tahar Ben Jelloun Quotes

Poetry is a form of mathematics, a highly rigorous relationship with words.

Poetry is a form of mathematics, a highly rigorous relationship with words.

I do not use the language of my people. I can take liberties with certain...

I do not use the language of my people. I can take liberties with certain...

I came to poetry through the urgent need to denounce injustice, exploitation, humiliation. I know...

I came to poetry through the urgent need to denounce injustice, exploitation, humiliation. I know...

In the '70s I was in exile; every time I went back I wondered if...

In the '70s I was in exile; every time I went back I wondered if...

I belong to a specific category of writers, those who speak and write in a...

I belong to a specific category of writers, those who speak and write in a...

My characters are driven by a passionate desire for justice. They are rebellious and incorruptible.

My characters are driven by a passionate desire for justice. They are rebellious and incorruptible.

I don't feel guilty about expressing myself in French; nor do I feel that I...

I don't feel guilty about expressing myself in French; nor do I feel that I...

There is a gulf between the Arab peoples and Arab intellectuals.

There is a gulf between the Arab peoples and Arab intellectuals.

I am a Moroccan writer of French expression.

I am a Moroccan writer of French expression.

An individual voice can be heard in a choir that otherwise sings in unison. This...

An individual voice can be heard in a choir that otherwise sings in unison. This...

I liked Sartre's views but not his writing.

I liked Sartre's views but not his writing.

In Morocco, it's possible to see the Atlantic and the Mediterranean at the same time.

In Morocco, it's possible to see the Atlantic and the Mediterranean at the same time.

New ideas should confront old ideas. We must refer to the example of Europe. People...

New ideas should confront old ideas. We must refer to the example of Europe. People...

I read a poem every night, as others read a prayer.

I read a poem every night, as others read a prayer.

I have written about the dispossessed, immigrants, the condition of women who do not enjoy...

I have written about the dispossessed, immigrants, the condition of women who do not enjoy...

We must have our say, not through violence, aggression or fear. We must speak out...

We must have our say, not through violence, aggression or fear. We must speak out...

It is impossible to disregard such an important medium as television. We should know how...

It is impossible to disregard such an important medium as television. We should know how...

The intellectual, the man of thought, doubt and analysis, should give the best of himself.

The intellectual, the man of thought, doubt and analysis, should give the best of himself.

I am a guest of the French language. My poems in French are born of...

I am a guest of the French language. My poems in French are born of...

There are very few great poets in the world.

There are very few great poets in the world.