It is simply not part of my culture to preserve notes. I have never heard of a writer preserving his early drafts.

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...

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.

We are like a woman with a difficult pregnancy. We have to rebuild the social...

We are like a woman with a difficult pregnancy. We have to rebuild the social...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Sadat made us feel more secure.

Sadat made us feel more secure.

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 reject any path which rejects life, but I can't help loving Sufism because it...

I reject any path which rejects life, but I can't help loving Sufism because it...

It's clearly more important to treat one's fellow man well than to be always praying...

It's clearly more important to treat one's fellow man well than to be always praying...

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 Koran and the laws of all civilized nations legislate against the vilification of religions.

The Koran and the laws of all civilized nations legislate against the vilification of religions.

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.

I was reading a lot of books I admired, and thought that I would like...

I was reading a lot of books I admired, and thought that I would like...

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...

Without literature my life would be miserable.

Without literature my life would be miserable.

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...