In Murakami's short story 'The Kidney-Shaped Stone That…
““In Murakami's short story 'The Kidney-Shaped Stone That Moves Every Day,' the main character is a writer. In describing the act of writing to a tightrope walker, he says, 'What a writer is *supposed* to do is observe and observe and observe again, and put off making judgments to the last possible moment.' I think that is a beautiful description of writing; it lets the world be, but also there is a moment, finally, of some kind of opinion. There is that moment, but to hold it off is a lovely and worthwhile goal.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Writers should observe continuously, delaying judgment to preserve openness, allowing insight to emerge before forming opinions.
In simple terms: Observe fully before judging.
Key Takeaway
Delay judgment to stay open.
Themes
writing
observation
patience
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- journalism
- fiction writing
- research
- teaching
Key Concepts
creative process
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance observation and action?
- When is it appropriate to form an opinion?
A Different Perspective
Over‑analysis can stall decision‑making.