Quotations from literary masters: messages from authors who weave captivating works.
The literary masters who have created countless works that captivate readers’ hearts.
Adept at wielding words, they left behind many memorable sayings beyond their writings.
In this article, we introduce famous quotes spoken by these literary giants.
We’ve selected words from a variety of authors—those whose works have had a profound impact on people, those whose writings appear in school textbooks, and even those depicted as characters in manga.
Please enjoy this world of words spun by great writers—a realm distinct from their works themselves.
Quotes from literary masters. Messages from authors who weave captivating works (1–10)
Life is too long to do nothing, but too short to accomplish something.Atsushi Nakajima
Many of us have probably felt that a day spent idly doing nothing and a day spent fully enjoying what we love can feel like time flows at different speeds, even though both are the same 24 hours.
The writer Atsushi Nakajima, known as the author of “The Moon over the Mountain,” put this feeling into words.
He said that life is too long if you accomplish nothing, and too short if you aim to accomplish something.
When you set goals for what you want to do and work toward them, you’ll likely find more and more things you need to take on.
Wouldn’t it be nice to live such a fulfilling life that passes by in the blink of an eye?
Laughed at, laughed at, I grow stronger.Osamu Dazai
Osamu Dazai, a leading figure in Japanese literature known for works that depict human frailty, loneliness, and inner conflict.
Through numerous writings such as No Longer Human and The Setting Sun, he conveys the importance of not fearing failure or criticism, but accepting them as a path to growth.
Each time we are criticized or go through painful experiences, his works teach us to face ourselves and become stronger.
The depth of this message comes through both in his characters and his authorial voice.
These are words that can give people confronting setbacks and challenges the spark to change themselves.
Do not seek to borrow another’s light to magnify your own.Ogai Mori
There’s a proverb, “a fox that borrows the tiger’s authority,” and this saying reminds us once again that we must not become like that.
The speaker is the novelist Mori Ōgai, known as the author of The Dancing Girl.
“Another’s light,” that is, relying on someone else’s power or ability, should not be used to “increase one’s own light,” to make oneself look better.
If you want to promote yourself, you must do so on your own merits.
It’s obvious, but it’s an important truth we mustn’t forget.
Love is the wafer that wraps much of life’s suffering.Doppo Kunikida
Doppo Kunikida, who was active not only as a novelist but also as a journalist, is also known for having founded the magazine Fujin Gahō (Ladies’ Graphic).
These are words left by a person devoted to conveying through writing, expressing how gentle love can be.
They tell us that with love, the sufferings of life are eased, and that it is precisely our feelings of love that give us the strength to overcome hardships.
While conveying a tenderness that envelops pain, it also gives the impression of depicting the risk of becoming numb to that pain.
Love is something noble, base, and pitiless.Higuchi Ichiyō
Higuchi Ichiyō, who was active as a novelist in the Meiji era, is known not only for works such as Takekurabe (Growing Up) but also for being featured on the 5,000-yen banknote.
These are words from that prolific woman writer, expressing her view of what love is.
While love is often spoken of as something noble and beautiful, she reminds us that it can sometimes take a degrading turn or end in a tragic outcome.
It’s a memorable quote that suggests that even as passion flares, it may be important to keep a cool, clear-eyed perspective so things don’t head in a bad direction.
Those who lack mental ambition are fools.Soseki Natsume
This is a line spoken by K, the friend of the teacher in the novel Kokoro, which the teacher later says to K as well.
K was such a diligent man that he believed a spirit of self-improvement meant maintaining a willingness to keep learning, and that anyone who didn’t was a fool.
However, he fell in love with a certain woman, was troubled by it, and confessed it to the teacher—changing their relationship and sending the story in an unexpected direction.
It’s a phrase that surely left a deep impression on many readers, carrying impact and meaning far beyond its literal wording—truly worthy of being called a famous quote.
Love yourself passionately and cherish yourself.Naoya Shiga
Shiga Naoya, known as the “God of the Novel,” is celebrated for major works such as A Dark Night’s Passing and Reconciliation, and he influenced many Japanese writers.
His words convey that cherishing and loving oneself leads to a fulfilling life.
The message comes through in his works, which are compelling for their simple yet beautiful realistic style.
This statement, which prompts us to consider how important it is to be gentle with ourselves when engaging with society and others, is a universal theme that still resonates with many people today.