“London is one of the world’s centres of Arab journalism and political activism. The failure of left and right, the establishment and its opposition, to mount principled arguments against clerical reaction has had global ramifications. Ideas minted in Britain – the notion that it is bigoted to oppose bigotry; ‘Islamophobic’ to oppose clerics whose first desire is to oppress Muslims – swirl out through the press and the net to lands where they can do real harm.”

“But my way of writing is rather to think aloud, and follow my own humours, than much to consider who is listening to me; and, if I stop to consider what is proper to be said to this or that person, I shall soon come to doubt whether any part at all is proper.”

“O jornalista é um poeta delicado: sempre acha o rascunho mais sincero do que o publicado.”

“I imagined it was far better to be optimistic, to proceed assuming wherever you could that you had cared enough, that you’d made a difference, that you would again. Dwelling on the worst was no way to live.”

“Magazines all too frequently lead to books and should be regarded by the prudent as the heavy petting of literature.”

“All things must be examined, debated, investigated without exception and without regard for anyone’s feelings.”

“Better a good journalist than a poor assassin.”

“If a person is not talented enough to be a novelist, not smart enough to be a lawyer, and his hands are too shaky to perform operations, he becomes a journalist. ”

“You’re miserable, edgy and tired. You’re in the perfect mood for journalism.”