Giving Quote by Haruki Murakami
“I often recall these words when I am writing, and I think to myself, “It’s true. There aren’t any new words. Our job is to give new meanings and special overtones to absolutely ordinary words.” I find the thought reassuring. It means that vast, unknown stretches still lie before us, fertile territories just waiting for us to cultivate them.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: 2022 interview with The Paris Review, 2022
He believes words are ordinary, but writers give them new meaning and tone.
In simple terms: Words are ordinary; writers add meaning.
Key Takeaway
Create fresh shades with familiar words.
Themes
writing
creativity
language
meaning
innovation
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
creative
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- poetry
- editing
- teaching writing
Key Concepts
semantic depth
artistic expression
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you discover fresh angles for common words?
- What role does cultural background play in word meaning?
A Different Perspective
New meanings can be limited by cultural context.
![“His [Death] voice is cold at first, John. It seems unfeeling. But if you listen without fear, you find that when he speaks, the most ordinary words become poetry. When he stands close to you, your life becomes a song, a praise. When he touches you, your smallest talents become gold; the most…” quote by Martine Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b74/martine-leavitt-20406_break_his-death-voice-is-cold-at-first-john-it_934268.jpg)
