The City and Its Uncertain Walls

by Haruki Murakami

Just as the people of the town had no horizontal curiosity about geography, they lacked any vertical curiosity about history.

Unfortunately, dying doesn’t make you any wiser.

This is what everyone wanted to think—that time solved most problems. Even though this wasn’t the case.

People who live where the winters are long and severe tend to read a lot.

The world was, day by day, becoming a more convenient, and unromantic, place.

“It bothers me that I can’t remember what I should remember. Doesn’t that happen to you?” “I’m more concerned about things I can’t forget but want to.”

“That remains to be seen,” I said. “But there’s a certain value in wanting to wait, even if it takes time.”