Naguib Mahfouz

“History is full of people who went to prison or were burned at the stake for proclaiming their ideas. Society has always defended itself.”

“I love Sufism as I love beautiful poetry, but it is not the answer. Sufism is like a mirage in the desert. It says to you, come and sit, relax and enjoy yourself for a while.”

“The writer interweaves a story with his own doubts, questions, and values. That is art.”

“My wife thought I deserved it, but I always thought the Nobel a Western prize.”

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

“We used the Western style to express our own themes and stories. But don't forget that our heritage includes The Thousand and One Nights.”

“I didn't make any money from my writing until much later. I published about 80 stories for nothing. I spent on literature.”

“Sadat made us feel more secure.”

“The Arab world also won the Nobel with me. I believe that international doors have opened, and that from now on, literate people will consider Arab literature also. We deserve that recognition.”

“If we reject science, we reject the common man.”

“Beauty itself is a painful convulsion in the heart, an abundance of vitality in the soul, and a mad chase undertaken by the spirit until it encounters the heavens.”

“I am practically in the employ of Mr. Nobel. I have to meet everyone he sends my way.”

“Insults are the business of the court.”

“Oh...why has time changed us?”

“One effect that the Nobel Prize seems to have had is that more Arabic literary works have been translated into other languages.”

“As the tension eases, we must look in the direction of agriculture, industry and education as our final goals, and toward democracy under Mr Mubarak.”

“God did not intend religion to be an exercise club.”

“Hosni Mubarak... his constitution is not democratic, but he is democratic. We can voice our opinions now. The press is free.”

“Winning Nobel imposed on me a lifestyle to which I am not used and which I would not have preferred.”

“The criminal is trying to solve his immediate problems.”