“A powerful intellect reconstructs the world, but the greater the sensitivity, the more one must accept the chaos of the world within oneself.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「強大な知力は世界を再構成するが、感受性は強大になればなるほど、世界の混沌を自分の裡に受容しなければならなくなる」
English
“A powerful intellect reconstructs the world, but the greater the sensitivity, the more one must accept the chaos of the world within oneself.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima contrasts intellect and sensitivity, suggesting that while a powerful intellect has the ability to reshape or reconstruct the world—imposing order, logic, and structure—the more sensitive a person becomes, the more they must embrace and internalize the chaos and disorder of the world around them. Intellect, with its focus on reason, organization, and control, allows individuals to engage with the world by reorganizing it according to their own understanding. In contrast, sensitivity, which is tied to emotional perception, requires individuals to absorb the unpredictability, confusion, and unresolved tension present in the world, particularly in the face of human suffering, societal conflicts, and existential dilemmas. Mishima suggests that, as sensitivity grows, so too does the capacity to feel and internalize the chaos, making it more difficult to escape or avoid the disarray of life.
Mishima’s exploration of intellect and sensitivity reflects his broader themes of human suffering, inner conflict, and the tension between reason and emotion. He often portrayed characters who faced existential struggles between the intellectual pursuit of meaning and the emotional weight of living in an imperfect and chaotic world. The idea that sensitivity demands the acceptance of chaos suggests that those who are more emotionally attuned or perceptive may find themselves overwhelmed by the complexity and unpredictability of life. Mishima’s view implies that emotional sensitivity, while it can provide depth and understanding, also brings the burden of absorbing the world’s suffering and disorder—a burden that may be harder to bear than the intellectual process of organizing or rationalizing the chaos of life.
In a modern context, this quote speaks to the psychological challenges faced by individuals who are emotionally sensitive in a world that often demands rationality and control. While intellectual or analytical approaches can provide structure and answers, emotional sensitivity requires a deeper acceptance of life’s imperfections, complexities, and unresolved tensions. In today’s society, where mental health and emotional well-being are increasingly recognized as central to the human experience, Mishima’s words remind us that sensitivity—while often seen as a strength—can also lead to emotional overload. People with high sensitivity may find it more difficult to navigate a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, yet their emotional depth also enables them to experience life in a way that intellect alone cannot. Mishima’s quote suggests that there is a necessary balance between intellectual control and emotional sensitivity, with each offering its own challenges and opportunities for personal growth.
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