Haruki Murakami

Literature Japanese 1949 395 quotes

Japan's most internationally acclaimed living novelist

Most quoted

"Sometimes fate is like a small sandstorm that keeps changing directions. You change direction but the sandstorm chases you. You turn again, but the storm adjusts itself to your movement. Again and again. Until at last, you and the storm stop trying to outrun each other. This is because the storm isn't something that has nothing to do with you, something that's blowing from far away. The storm is you. Something inside of you. So all you can do is give in to it, step right inside the storm, closing your eyes and plugging up your ears so the sand doesn't get in, and walk through it, step by step."

— from Kafka on the Shore, 2002

"Sometimes fate is like a small sandstorm that keeps changing directions. You change direction but the sandstorm chases you. You turn again, but the storm adjusts. Over and over you play this out, like some ominous dance with death just before dawn. Why? Because this storm isn't something that blew in from far away, something that has nothing to do with you. This storm is you. Something inside of you. So all you can do is give in to it, step right inside the storm, closing your eyes and plugging up your ears so the sand doesn't get in, and walk through it, step by step."

— from Kafka on the Shore, 2002

"Sometimes fate is like a small sandstorm that keeps changing directions. You change direction but the sandstorm chases you. You turn again, but the storm adjusts. Again and again you play this game, like a hapless dancer with Death. Because the storm isn't something that blew in from far away, something that has nothing to do with you. This storm is you. Something inside you. So all you can do is give in to it, step right inside the storm, closing your eyes and plugging up your ears so the sand doesn't get in, and walk through it, step by step."

— from Kafka on the Shore, 2002

All quotes by Haruki Murakami (395)

I don't like to read my own books after they're published. I just move on to the next one.

Various interviews

I think that's the most important thing for a writer: to be patient.

Various interviews

I don't have any favorite books. I just read what I like.

Various interviews

I think that's the most important thing for a writer: to be disciplined.

Various interviews

I don't like to travel. I prefer to stay at home and write.

Various interviews

I think that's the most important thing for a writer: to be humble.

Various interviews

I don't have any political views. I just write about human nature.

Various interviews

I think that's the most important thing for a writer: to be passionate.

Various interviews

I don't like to give interviews. I prefer to let my books speak for themselves.

Various interviews

I think that's the most important thing for a writer: to be original.

Various interviews

I don't have any regrets. I just try to live my life to the fullest.

Various interviews

I think that's the most important thing for a writer: to be authentic.

Various interviews

I don't like to be famous. I just want to be a writer.

Various interviews

I think that's the most important thing for a writer: to be resilient.

Various interviews

I don't have any favorite music. I just listen to what I like.

Various interviews

I think that's the most important thing for a writer: to be imaginative.

Various interviews

I don't like to talk about my personal life. It's a very private thing.

Various interviews

I think that's the most important thing for a writer: to be observant.

Various interviews

I don't have any favorite movies. I just watch what I like.

Various interviews

I think that's the most important thing for a writer: to be introspective.

Various interviews