You are 27 or 28 right? It is very tough to live at that age. When nothing is sure. I have sympathy with you.
Haruki MurakamiRead
Writers have to keep on writing if they want to mature, like caterpillars endlessly chewing on leaves.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Writers must continuously write to develop their skills, similar to how caterpillars must eat to grow.
In this quote, Haruki Murakami likens the process of maturation for writers to the transformation of caterpillars, suggesting that just as caterpillars must consume leaves to grow into butterflies, writers need to persistently engage in the act of writing to hone their craft and achieve their potential. This comparison emphasizes the importance of perseverance and dedication in the artistic journey, indicating that growth and mastery come with continuous effort.
Themes
WritingGrowthCreativityPerseveranceArt
In practice
Example use cases
An author might use this quote during a workshop to inspire aspiring writers.
More from Haruki Murakami
All quotes →They take the circuits out of people’s brains that make it possible for them to think for themselves. Their world is like the one that George Orwell depicted in his novel. I’m sure you realize that there are plenty of people who are looking for exactly that kind of brain death. It makes life a lot easier. You don’t have to think about difficult things, just shut up and do what your superiors tell you to do.
Haruki MurakamiRead
Memories and thoughts age, just as people do. But certain thoughts can never age, and certain memories can never fade.
Haruki MurakamiRead
I think you still love me, but we can’t escape the fact that I’m not enough for you. I knew this was going to happen. So I’m not blaming you for falling in love with another woman. I’m not angry, either. I should be, but I’m not. I just feel pain. A lot of pain. I thought I could imagine how much this would hurt, but I was wrong.
Haruki MurakamiRead
Everybody burns out in this world; amateur, pro, it doesn't matter, they all burn out, they all get hurt, the OK guys and the not-OK guys both. That's why everybody takes out a little insurance. I've got some too, here at the bottom of the heap. That way, you manage to survive if you burn out. If you're all by yourself and don't belong anywhere, you go down once, and you're out. Finished.
Haruki MurakamiRead
Life is so uncertain: you never know what could happen. One way to deal with that is to keep your pajamas washed.
Haruki MurakamiRead
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