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

As the tension eases, we must look in the direction of agriculture, industry and education...

As the tension eases, we must look in the direction of agriculture, industry and education...

According to Islamic principles, when a man is accused of heresy, he is given the...

According to Islamic principles, when a man is accused of heresy, he is given the...

You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether...

You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether...

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...

I've never worked in politics, never been a member of an official committee or a...

I've never worked in politics, never been a member of an official committee or a...

One effect that the Nobel Prize seems to have had is that more Arabic literary...

One effect that the Nobel Prize seems to have had is that more Arabic literary...

I believe society has a right to defend itself, just as the individual has the...

I believe society has a right to defend itself, just as the individual has the...

I am practically in the employ of Mr. Nobel. I have to meet everyone he...

I am practically in the employ of Mr. Nobel. I have to meet everyone he...

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...

I love Sufism as I love beautiful poetry, but it is not the answer. Sufism...

I love Sufism as I love beautiful poetry, but it is not the answer. Sufism...

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...

In Egypt today most people are concerned with getting bread to eat. Only some of...

In Egypt today most people are concerned with getting bread to eat. Only some of...

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...

An allegory is not meant to be taken literally. There is a great lack of...

An allegory is not meant to be taken literally. There is a great lack of...

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...

You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether...

You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether...

I started writing while I was a little boy. Maybe it's because I was reading...

I started writing while I was a little boy. Maybe it's because I was reading...

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.

The Nobel Prize has given me, for the first time in my life, the feeling...

The Nobel Prize has given me, for the first time in my life, the feeling...