The power of the word in Morocco belonged to men and to the authorities. No one asked the point of view of poor people or women.

Quote by Tahar Ben Jelloun

Topics: Tahar Ben Jelloun Quotes

It is through accepting other people in our own countries that we shall come to...

It is through accepting other people in our own countries that we shall come to...

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...

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...

I liked Sartre's views but not his writing.

I liked Sartre's views but not his writing.

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...

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...

Be vigilant, for nothing one achieves lasts forever.

Be vigilant, for nothing one achieves lasts forever.

Beauty is first and foremost an emotion.

Beauty is first and foremost an emotion.

Poetry is not only a set of words which are chosen to relate to each...

Poetry is not only a set of words which are chosen to relate to each...

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...

At 21, I discovered repression and injustice. The army would shoot students with real bullets.

At 21, I discovered repression and injustice. The army would shoot students with real bullets.

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...

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...

I am a Moroccan writer of French expression.

I am a Moroccan writer of French expression.

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...

A modern civilization is only possible when it is accepted that singular beings exist and...

A modern civilization is only possible when it is accepted that singular beings exist and...

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.

There are very few great poets in the world.

There are very few great poets in the world.

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...

My sensibility steers me toward writers who are out on their own.

My sensibility steers me toward writers who are out on their own.