180 Quotes by Naguib Mahfouz

It’s not surprising that truly humanitarian manifestos originate frequently in minority circles or with people whose consciences are troubled by the problems of minorities.

You know what I’m afraid of? That God is sick of us.

Today’s interpretations of religion are often backward and contradict the needs of civilization.

It’s clearly more important to treat one’s fellow man well than to be always praying and fasting and touching one’s head to a prayer mat.

I believe in life and in people. I feel obliged to advocate their highest ideals as long as I believe them to be true. I also see myself compelled to revolt against ideals I believe to be false, since recoiling from rebellion would be a form of treason.

I started writing while I was a little boy. Maybe it’s because I was reading a lot of books I admired, and thought that I would like to write something like that someday. Also, my love for good writing pushed me.

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

Events at home, at work, in the street – these are the bases for a story.

I’ve never worked in politics, never been a member of an official committee or a political party.