Poetry is not only a set of words which are chosen to relate to each other; it is something which goes much further than that to provide a glimpse of our vision of the world.

Quote by Tahar Ben Jelloun

Topics: Tahar Ben Jelloun Quotes

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

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

The mistake we make is to attribute to religions the errors and fanaticism of human...

The mistake we make is to attribute to religions the errors and fanaticism of human...

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

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

Egypt has suffered more ordeals than the other countries to get where it is.

Egypt has suffered more ordeals than the other countries to get where it is.

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 write about wounds, the eternal treasons of life. It's not very funny, but it's...

I write about wounds, the eternal treasons of life. It's not very funny, but it's...

We do not have many intellectuals who can speak out for us internationally. We have...

We do not have many intellectuals who can speak out for us internationally. We have...

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.

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...

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...

People must insist on the right to say no, to be alone, to stand out...

People must insist on the right to say no, to be alone, to stand out...

The power of the word in Morocco belonged to men and to the authorities. No...

The power of the word in Morocco belonged to men and to the authorities. No...

Beauty is first and foremost an emotion.

Beauty is first and foremost an emotion.

The world does not look to us in the Arab world out of a healthy...

The world does not look to us in the Arab world out of a healthy...

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...

To lead a country, you must periodically hold a national consultation in which people representing...

To lead a country, you must periodically hold a national consultation in which people representing...

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'd thought sexuality was instinctive or natural, but it's profoundly linked to inner security and...

I'd thought sexuality was instinctive or natural, but it's profoundly linked to inner security and...

Be vigilant, for nothing one achieves lasts forever.

Be vigilant, for nothing one achieves lasts forever.