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.
- Words from famous people that I’d like to adopt as my motto. Inspiring quotes that convey the power of words.
- Heartfelt! Inspiring Quotes Left by Great Figures of Japan
- Short quotes from Studio Ghibli works: profound words that give us strength
- Witty one-liners that pierce the heart: a collection of brief yet profoundly meaningful maxims
- Guaranteed to move you! Memorable words by great figures and famous people.
- Witty quotes by great figures and celebrities where wordplay shines even in brevity
- Not just the main characters! Short quotes that add depth to anime works
- Famous quotes everyone knows, including words from great figures and characters
- Just remembering them fills you with courage! Striking quotes that touch the heart from great figures and famous people
- Quotes from great figures that give us the power to live
- Keep your favorite words close. A short collection of quotes that comfort the heart.
- Words of love that tug at your heart. A moving message that will surely convey your feelings.
- Gives you the power to face challenges! Inspiring words of courage from great and famous people.
Quotes from literary masters. Messages from authors who weave captivating works (11–20)
When it comes to loving, women are the true experts, while men remain eternal amateurs.Yukio Mishima
Yukio Mishima, a writer who depicted human beauty and passion from a unique perspective.
Known for major works such as The Temple of the Golden Pavilion and Confessions of a Mask, the words he left behind point to the differing roles and viewpoints of men and women in love.
The meaning of his words also comes through in the many human dramas in his works—filled with people struggling and wrestling with love and passion—and in the lines spoken by his characters.
By contrasting the clumsiness of men with the deep affection of women, he reveals the essence of human relationships.
These are memorable sayings that convey the approaches to expressing love between the sexes and the complexity of romance.
Nature is an impartial and merciless enemy. Society is an unjust enemy with human sentiment.Soseki Natsume
Let me introduce a famous quote by Natsume Sōseki: “Nature is a fair yet ruthless enemy.
Society is an unjust yet compassionate enemy.” Natsume Sōseki was a Japanese novelist and scholar of English literature.
His major works include I Am a Cat, Botchan, Sanshirō, And Then, Kokoro, and Light and Darkness.
This line—“Nature is a fair yet ruthless enemy.
Society is an unjust yet compassionate enemy.”—appears in his work Reminiscences.
It’s a quote that encourages us not to underestimate nature and to prepare for natural disasters.
Natural disasters strike when we least expect them.Torahiko Terada
Here is a famous and important saying by Torahiko Terada: “Natural disasters strike when they have been forgotten.” Terada was a Japanese physicist, essayist, and haiku poet.
As a researcher, he was interested in disasters such as fires and earthquakes, and it is said that after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, he became even more deeply engaged with the subject.
This quote reminds us that the peaceful passing of everyday life without incident is not something to be taken for granted.
It is a phrase worth engraving in our hearts.
Anyone who truly does something good feels the happiest, don’t they?Kenji Miyazawa
Kenji Miyazawa, a poet and children’s story writer from Iwate Prefecture, is known for works such as Night on the Galactic Railroad and Be Not Defeated by the Rain.
He left behind the idea that doing good for others ultimately brings happiness to oneself.
His works, which depict human kindness and the beauty of self-sacrifice, convey their appeal by giving readers an opportunity to reconsider emotional richness and human relationships.
The theme of happiness brought about by goodwill resonates in any era and offers words that can be applied to everyday life.
A touch of laziness adds flavor to life.Motojiro Kajii
If you’re the type who can’t relax unless everything is done perfectly—and you’re always tense—try reading these words once.
They’re by the novelist Motojirō Kajii, known for works like “Lemon” and “In a Town with a Castle.” Handling everything meticulously is a wonderful thing.
However, some people may feel it lacks a certain spark, or leaves them unfulfilled.
At times like that, try being a little lazy, as these words suggest.
In that laziness, you may begin to see something different.
Perfect love is another name for “selflessness.”Kyoka Izumi
Kyoka Izumi, known not only for his novels but also for his plays and haiku, is celebrated for representative works such as The Surgery Room and The Holy Man of Mount Koya.
These words, by Izumi—who is also regarded as a pioneer of fantasy literature—express his view of what perfect love is.
When love grows to its fullest, one stops thinking of oneself; he suggests that this is the same as the Buddhist state of enlightenment known as selflessness (muga).
As long as one is still thinking about oneself, love is not yet complete—and the process of bringing it closer to completion seems, in itself, to be a step toward enlightenment.
Quotes from literary masters. Messages from authors who weave captivating works (21–30)
Human beings are, by nature, born alone and die alone. It’s only natural to feel lonely even when you’re among a crowd.Katai Tayama
If you’re struggling because you don’t fit well into a circle of friends or some kind of group, try reading these words.
They’re by the novelist Tayama Katai, known for works such as Futon and The Country Teacher.
He seems to be telling us that since humans can never be completely free from loneliness, not being able to join a circle isn’t something to worry about too much.
It may also mean that fretting about possibly becoming lonely in the future—even if you’re part of a group now—is an unnecessary worry.
Accepting loneliness, too, is likely something important for us as human beings.