Quote by Haruki Murakami: “Don't feel sorry for yourself. Only assholes do that.”

This blunt quote from a character in Murakami's novel serves as a sharp, almost cynical, directive against self-pity. It challenges the reader to move beyond unproductive introspection and instead adopt a more resilient and proactive approach to life's difficulties.

Published early in Murakami's career, this quote reflects a gritty, realistic outlook common in post-war Japanese literature. It offered a counter-narrative to sentimentalism during a period of economic growth and societal change in Japan.

Japanese novelist whose works, including Norwegian Wood, Kafka on the Shore, and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, blend realism with the surreal and have made him one of the most internationally recognized living novelists. His memoir What I Talk About When I Talk About Running describes his philosophy of endurance through long-distance running.