To lead a country, you must periodically hold a national consultation in which people representing different programmes can make a bid for power.

Quote by Tahar Ben Jelloun

Topics: Tahar Ben Jelloun Quotes

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...

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...

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.

Real friendship, like real poetry, is extremely rare - and precious as a pearl.

Real friendship, like real poetry, is extremely rare - and precious as a pearl.

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.

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.

We must stop posing as victims of the West and behaving negatively towards the West....

We must stop posing as victims of the West and behaving negatively towards the West....

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

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

We have no Arab intellectuals of international stature because we live in a state of...

We have no Arab intellectuals of international stature because we live in a state of...

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...

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.

There are very few great poets in the world.

There are very few great poets in the world.

Beauty is first and foremost an emotion.

Beauty is first and foremost an emotion.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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