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.

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

I wake up early in the morning and walk for an hour. If I have something to write, I prefer to write in the morning until midday, and in the afternoon, I eat.

You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.

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

If you want to move people, you look for a point of sensitivity, and in Egypt nothing moves people as much as religion.

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.