Kafka on the Shore Quotes

“He crept silently to the door to Nakata’s room and opened it. He switched on the flashlight and played it quickly around the body. That’s definitely where the rustling had come from. The beam illuminated a long, pale, thin object that was squirming out of Nakata’s mouth. The object reminded Hoshino of a gourd. It was as thick as a man’s arm, and though he couldn’t tell how long it was, Hoshino guessed that about half of it was out. Its wet body glistened like mucus. Nakata’s mouth was stretched wide open like a snake’s, to let the thing out. His jaw must have been unhinged, it was so wide open.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

“We're so caught up in our everyday lives that events of the past, like ancient stars that have burned out, are no longer in orbit about our minds. There are just too many things we have to think about every day, too many new things we have to learn. New styles, new information, new technology, new terminology... But still, no matter how much time passes, no matter what takes place in the interim, there are some things we can never assign to oblivion, memories we can never rub away. They remain with us forever, like a touchstone.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

“Because reality’s just the accumulation of ominous prophecies come to life. All you have to do is open a newspaper on any given day and weigh the good news versus the bad news, and you’ll see what I mean.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

“Narrow minds devoid of imagination. Intolerance, theories cut off from reality, empty terminology, usurped ideals, inflexible systems. Those are the things that really frighten me. What I absolutely fear and loathe. Of course it’s important to know what’s right and what’s wrong. Individual errors in judgment can usually be corrected.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

“As long as you have the courage to admit mistakes, things can be turned around. But intolerant, narrow minds with no imagination are like parasites that transform the host, change form, and continue to thrive. They’re a lost cause, and I don’t want anyone like that coming in here.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

“The important thing is whether this comes about naturally or not. Being bright has nothing to do with it. What matters is that you see things with your own eyes.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

“Nobody can predict where talent’s headed. Sometimes it simply vanishes. Other times it sinks down under the earth like an underground stream and flows off who knows where.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

“As long as there’s such a thing as time, everybody’s damaged in the end, changed into something else. It always happens, sooner or later.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

“By nature you’re an honest person. Everything you’re thinking is written all over your face.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

“She takes her hand away from mine and touches her eyelids with the tips of her fingers. “Kafka, I’ve worn away so much of my own life, worn myself away.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

“The strength I’m looking for isn’t the kind where you win or lose. I’m not after a wall that’ll repel power coming from outside. What I want is the kind of strength to be able to absorb that outside power, to stand up to it. The”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

“Do you remember my theory?” “Of course,” she says. “But that’s your theory, not mine. So I have no responsibility for it, right?”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

“Living turned me into nothing. Weird . . . People are born in order to live, right? But the longer I’ve lived, the more I’ve lost what’s inside me—and ended up empty.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

“Nobody can help you. That’s what love’s all about, Kafka. You’re the one having those wonderful feelings, but you have to go it alone as you wander through the dark. Your mind and body have to bear it all. All by yourself.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

“I want you to remember me,” Miss Saeki says, and looks right into my eyes. “If you remember me, then I don’t care if everyone else forgets.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore