Haruki Murakami
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 believe in coincidences. I think everything happens for a reason.
I think it's important to be true to yourself, even if it means going against the grain.
I don't like to be the center of attention. I prefer to blend in with the crowd.
I think it's important to keep learning and growing, no matter how old you are.
I don't believe in regrets. I think it's more important to learn from your mistakes and move on.
I think it's important to have a passion in life, something that drives you.
I don't like to be bored. I always need something to keep my mind engaged.
I think it's important to find beauty in the everyday, even in the mundane.
I don't believe in fate. I think we create our own destinies.
I think it's important to be resilient, to bounce back from setbacks.
I don't like to be predictable. I prefer to keep people guessing.
I think it's important to have a sense of wonder, to see the world with fresh eyes.
I don't believe in heroes. I think everyone has their flaws.
I think it's important to be patient, that good things come to those who wait.
I don't like to be controlled. I prefer to be my own boss.
I think it's important to have a good imagination, to be able to see beyond what's in front of you.
I don't believe in absolute truth. I think everything is subjective.
I think it's important to be humble, to know your limitations.
I think it's important to be authentic, to be true to who you are.
I don't believe in a single meaning of life. I think we create our own meaning.
Contemporaries of Haruki Murakami
Other Literatures born within 50 years of Haruki Murakami (1949).