“The impression of fragile, pure beauty in certain moments can only surrender itself to banal descriptions.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「或る種の瞬間の脆い純粋な美の印象は、凡庸な形容にしか身を委さないものである」
English
“The impression of fragile, pure beauty in certain moments can only surrender itself to banal descriptions.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima reflects on the elusive nature of beauty, particularly the fragile and pure beauty that can be fleeting and difficult to capture. He suggests that such moments of transcendent beauty, which may be felt deeply in the heart or mind, are ultimately reduced to ordinary, superficial descriptions when they are expressed through language. The fragility of pure beauty, according to Mishima, resists the limitations of words or conventional language, and thus, any attempt to describe it falls short of conveying its true essence. In this sense, language can only offer banal representations, failing to do justice to the moment’s profundity or the transitory nature of the beauty experienced.
Mishima often explored the tension between idealism and reality, and this quote aligns with his larger view that human expression, particularly through art or language, is inherently limited. Beauty, especially in its most delicate forms, cannot be fully encapsulated by words or formal structures. Mishima suggests that the act of describing pure beauty often results in a dilution of its power, turning something that should be sublime into something that is ordinary or banal. This observation points to his belief that there is a fundamental gap between experience and expression, particularly in the realm of aesthetic or emotional experiences.
In a modern context, this quote resonates with the idea that certain transcendent experiences, whether they involve art, nature, or intimate moments, often escape articulation. As our world becomes increasingly mediated by language, visual media, and social expression, it is easy to lose sight of moments of pure beauty that defy words. Mishima’s words encourage a recognition of how certain experiences—especially those that touch upon deep emotional truths—are inherently ineffable, and that our attempts to convey them can never fully do justice to their fragility or depth.
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