Authoritarianism, an unrealistic occidental imagination - these issues will never be settled. Turkey will continue to take Europe as a model; it will continue to pursue its search for democracy. Orhan Pamuk authoritarianismcontinuedemocracy Change image and share on social
We should not judge Islam by terrorists. All civilizations and cultures produce terrorists. Every time there is a flag-burning, killing, or provocative films, I'm worried, not because something radical will happen, and this time, some people are killed. We're very sorry for that. Orhan Pamuk burncivilizationculture share on social
I would be pleased if someone would invent a pill to remove my impatience, moodiness, and occasional bursts of anger. But if they did, I wouldn't be able to write my novels or paint. Orhan Pamuk angerburstimpatience Change image and share on social
For me, Westernization is not about consuming fanciful goods; it's about a system of free speech, democracy, egalitarianism and respect for the people's rights and dignity. Orhan Pamuk consumedemocracydignity Change image and share on social
When the whole world reads your books, is there any other happiness for a writer? I am happy that my books are read in 57 languages. But I am focused on Istanbul not because of Istanbul but because of humanity. Everyone is the same in the end. Orhan Pamuk bookendfocus share on social
I consider myself Istanbul's storyteller. My subject matter is my town. I consider it my job to explore the hidden patterns of my city's clandestine corners, its shady, mysterious places, the things I love. Orhan Pamuk cityclandestinecorner share on social
I believe in a world where there are no heroes, and I've read and know humanity a lot. There are moments that I admire in a person courage, intellect, hard work. These are the qualities I admire in an intellectual, in a writer, and there are so many people who have these things. Orhan Pamuk admirecouragehard share on social
Self-hatred is OK. I have self-hatred, too. It's OK. What's bad is if you don't know how to get out of it, don't know how to manage it. Self-hatred is, in fact, a good thing if you can clearly see the mechanism of it, because it helps you to understand others. Orhan Pamuk badfactgood share on social
A museum should not just be a place for fancy paintings but should be a place where we can communicate our lives through our everyday objects. Orhan Pamuk communicateeverydayfancy Change image and share on social
I think less than people think I do about politics. I care about writing. Orhan Pamuk carepeoplepolitic Change image and share on social
