“For money’s sake! For such a noble purpose, literature is too precious to be wasted.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「金のためだって！そんな美しい目的のためには文学なんて勿体ない」
English
“For money’s sake! For such a noble purpose, literature is too precious to be wasted.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima critiques the idea of using literature or art for material gain. He implies that art, especially literature, is too valuable, noble, or pure to be reduced to something as pragmatic or self-serving as the pursuit of money. Mishima’s words reflect his belief that art should not be tainted by commercial motives, as its true value lies in its aesthetic and intellectual purpose—its ability to express the sublime, the ideal, and the human condition, rather than serving as a means to accumulate wealth. He seems to suggest that using something as sacred as literature for financial gain is a betrayal of its true purpose.
This view ties into Mishima’s broader thoughts on the sacredness of art and the corrupting influence of money in modern society. Mishima was often critical of the materialism that he saw as overwhelming Japan in the post-war period, where he believed art was increasingly being commodified and reduced to a transactional object. He saw this as a loss of the spiritual and cultural values that art should embody. By claiming that literature is “too precious to be wasted” for material purposes, Mishima advocates for a return to the noble ideals of art, where the primary purpose of literature is to elevate the human spirit, not to serve financial interests.
In a modern context, this quote can be seen as a critique of the commercialization of art, particularly in a world where literature and other forms of art are often tied to profit, whether through book sales, media adaptations, or public recognition. Mishima’s words serve as a reminder that art—especially literature—should not be exploited for its monetary value, but rather cherished for its capacity to explore the deepest human experiences. However, in today’s society, this idealistic view of art is often challenged by the realities of the creative industry, where financial success is frequently seen as a measure of artistic worth. Mishima’s quote raises important questions about the balance between art’s intrinsic value and its place in a commercialized world.
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