Book detail: The Tale of Genji is presented as a focused source page for quotations connected with this book, collection, transcript, or source record.
Written by Murasaki Shikibu, this novel is considered a foundational work of Japanese literature, offering a detailed look into the lives of the Heian court elite during the 11th century.
The quotes below use the same card format as the rest of the site, including topics, source notes, copy actions, image creation, and sharing controls.
“It is in general the unexplored that attracts us.”
“Intimacy between stepchildren and stepparents is indeed proverbially difficult.”
“farewell' is a monster among words, and never yet sounded kindly in any ear.”
“How strange a thing is the heart of man!”
“Though the body moves, the soul may stay behind.”
“In few people is discretion stronger than the desire to tell a good story.”
“Real things in the darkness seem no realer than dreams.”
“Ceaseless as the interminable voices of the bell-cricket, all night till dawn my tears flow.”
“No penance can your hard heart find save such as you long since have taught me to endure”
“There is more here than meets the eye.”
“En asuntos de arte la modestia no es una virtud.”