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My countrymen have the right to shake my hand and talk to me if they so wish. Don't forget that their support and their reading of my works is what brought me the Nobel prize.
Naguib Mahfouz
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The author acknowledges the value of his connection to his audience and their role in his success.

Naguib Mahfouz emphasizes the importance of the relationship between an author and his readers, asserting that the support of the people is essential for an artist's recognition and achievements. His Nobel Prize is a direct result of the connections he fostered with his countrymen through his writings, highlighting the reciprocal nature of artistic recognition and public appreciation.

Themes

SupportReadersRecognitionRelationshipSuccess

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about the importance of community support for artists.

More from Naguib Mahfouz

Visit me once each year, for it's wrong to abandon people forever.
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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.
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As for life's tragedies, our love will defeat them. Love is the most effective cure. In the crevices of disasters, happiness lies like a diamond in a mind, so let us instill in ourselves the wisdom of love.
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I love Sufism as I love beautiful poetry, but it is not the answer. Sufism is like a mirage in the desert. It says to you, come and sit, relax and enjoy yourself for a while.
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If the urge to write should ever leave me, I want that day to be my last.
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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
Naguib MahfouzRead

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