I believe society has a right to defend itself, just as the individual has the right to attack that with which he disagrees.

I was afraid of marriage. I had the impression married life would take up all my time. I saw myself drowning in visits and parties. No freedom.

I believe society has a right to defend itself, just as the individual has the right to attack that with which he disagrees.

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

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

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 defend both the freedom of expression and society's right to counter it. I must pay the price for differing. It is the natural way of things.