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)

Love is like a cat. It comes and goes as it pleases, and you can't force it to stay.

Kafka on the Shore

I'm not a fan of small talk. I prefer to get straight to the existential dread.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

The world is full of people who are trying to tell you what to do. Don't listen to them.

Norwegian Wood

I'm not saying I'm a genius, but I did once solve a Rubik's Cube with my feet.

A Wild Sheep Chase

Life is a series of unexpected events. The trick is to learn to roll with the punches.

Sputnik Sweetheart

I'm not a fan of happy endings. They're too unrealistic.

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World

The best way to get over a broken heart is to get under someone new.

South of the Border, West of the Sun

I'm not a fan of rules. They're meant to be broken, preferably with a hammer.

After Dark

The older I get, the more I realize that most people are just making it up as they go along.

1Q84

I'm not saying I'm a bad person, but I did once steal a traffic cone just for the thrill of it.

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage

The world is a strange and beautiful place. It's also a terrifying and confusing place. But that's what makes it interesting.

Kafka on the Shore

I'm not a fan of small talk. I prefer to discuss the meaning of life, the universe, and everything.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

The only way to make sense of the world is to admit that it doesn't make any sense.

Norwegian Wood

I'm not saying I'm a genius, but I did once write a novel using only emojis.

A Wild Sheep Chase

Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get, but you can always hope for the good ones.

Sputnik Sweetheart

I'm not a fan of happy endings. They're too predictable.

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World

The best way to get over a bad day is to have a good night.

South of the Border, West of the Sun

I'm not a fan of rules. They're meant to be bent, preferably with a crowbar.

After Dark

The older I get, the more I realize that most people are just trying to get by.

1Q84

I'm not saying I'm a bad person, but I did once eat a whole pizza by myself and then blamed it on the dog.

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage