Spend your money on the things money can buy. Spend your time on the things money can’t buy.
Meaning
It highlights the value of time over material wealth.
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About the author
(born 1949) is a Japanese writer known for blending surrealism, magical realism, and contemporary themes. His novels, including "Norwegian Wood" and "Kafka on the Shore," explore loneliness, identity, and the subconscious mind. Murakami’s distinctive style combines simple prose with deep philosophical undertones. His work has gained global popularity and has been translated into many languages. Influenced by Western literature and music, he brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to storytelling. Haruki Murakami continues to captivate readers with his imaginative narratives and introspective themes.
Why This Quote Matters
What Haruki Murakami captures here is how Life, Time, Values intersect with character and follow-through. The idea holds up because It highlights the value of time over material wealth.
There’s no deadline attached to it—only the next time you remember it. The rest is just repetition, done honestly.
How to Apply This Quote in Life
You can apply this quote in daily life by focusing on Life, Time, Values and practicing what it implies. If the habit breaks, the fix is usually smaller than it feels.
A short, repeatable version beats an ambitious one you abandon by Friday. That’s a fair test of whether the idea holds up in your life.
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