"I accepted the interviews and encounters that had to be held with the media, but I would have preferred to work in peace"

Naguib Mahfouz was an Egyptian writer and Nobel Laureate. In this quote, he is revealing his preference for working in peace, rather than needing to handle the media. He acknowledges that he accepted the interviews and encounters that were needed, but he would have preferred to be able to focus on his work without the diversion of the media. This quote talks to Mahfouz's dedication to his craft, and his desire to be able to focus on his composing without disruption. It likewise speaks to his humility, as he was willing to accept the needs of the media, even though he would have chosen to operate in peace. Mahfouz's quote is a pointer that in some cases we need to accept the demands of our profession, even if it suggests sacrificing our own desires.