Naguib Mahfouz
  • Today's interpretations of religion are often backward and contradict the needs of civilization.

  • If we reject science, we reject the common man.

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

  • 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.