It’s a most distressing affliction to have a sentimental heart and a skeptical mind. — Naguib Mahfouz
An allegory is not meant to be taken literally. There is a great lack of comprehension on the part of some readers. — Naguib Mahfouz
If I have something to write, I prefer to write in the morning until midday, and in the afternoon, I eat. — Naguib Mahfouz
According to islamic principles, when a man is accused of heresy, he is given the choice between repentance and punishment. — Naguib Mahfouz
As the tension eases, we must look in the direction of agriculture, industry and education as our final goals — Naguib Mahfouz
History is full of people who went to prison or were burned at the stake for proclaiming their ideas. — Naguib Mahfouz
Hosni mubarak… his constitution is not democratic, but he is democratic. We can voice our opinions now. The press is free. — Naguib Mahfouz
I am practically in the employ of mr. Nobel. I have to meet everyone he sends my way. — Naguib Mahfouz
I believe society has a right to defend itself, just as the individual has the right to attack that with which he disagrees. — Naguib Mahfouz
I consider khomeini’s position dangerous. He does not have the right to pass judgment-that is not the islamic way. — Naguib Mahfouz
I didn’t make any money from my writing until much later. I published about 80 stories for nothing. I spent on literature. — Naguib Mahfouz
I was reading a lot of books I admired, and thought that I would like to write something like that someday. — Naguib Mahfouz
I’ve never worked in politics, never been a member of an official committee or a political party. — Naguib Mahfouz
It is simply not part of my culture to preserve notes. I have never heard of a writer preserving his early drafts. — Naguib Mahfouz
One effect that the nobel prize seems to have had is that more arabic literary works have been translated into other languages. — Naguib Mahfouz
The koran and the laws of all civilized nations legislate against the vilification of religions. — Naguib Mahfouz
The writer interweaves a story with his own doubts, questions, and values. That is art. — Naguib Mahfouz
I look at our society with a critical eye and find nothing extraordinary in the people I see. — Naguib Mahfouz