“When the peak of happiness arrives in this world, there are certain thoughts that can only move when inside that happiness.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「この世の絶頂の幸せが来たとき、その幸福の只中でなくては動かぬ思案があるのです」
English
“When the peak of happiness arrives in this world, there are certain thoughts that can only move when inside that happiness.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima reflects on the nature of happiness and thought. He suggests that there are certain thoughts or realizations that cannot be fully understood or acted upon until one is experiencing the height of happiness. These thoughts are contingent upon the emotional state of being in happiness; they can only emerge or be acted upon when one is in the midst of a genuine and complete sense of joy. This implies that happiness is not merely a passive state, but one that creates the conditions for a certain kind of thinking or awareness to come to the forefront. Mishima suggests that the true clarity or understanding of certain concepts, feelings, or actions can only be revealed when one is immersed in the experience of happiness, making this type of happiness essential for certain mental revelations.
Mishima’s view on happiness and thought reflects his belief that emotions and experiences are deeply intertwined with how we understand and process the world around us. He often explored how intense emotions—whether joy, suffering, or anger—can shape the way we perceive life, our relationships, and our actions. In this case, happiness is seen as more than just a fleeting feeling; it is a state that brings about a shift in consciousness, allowing certain thoughts or actions to emerge only in its presence. The quote may also imply that the full appreciation of life or certain aspects of human experience can only be understood when one is in the experience of happiness, suggesting that happiness is both a catalyst and a condition for certain truths to be realized.
In a modern context, this quote speaks to the relationship between our emotional states and the way we approach life’s important realizations. In a world where people often chase external achievements in the hopes of attaining happiness, Mishima’s words remind us that the true nature of certain experiences or understandings may only come to us when we are fully present in the moment of joy or contentment. This suggests that happiness is not merely a result of material success or external validation, but a state of being that allows us to engage deeply with ourselves and our thoughts. In today’s context, the quote encourages a reflection on how emotional fulfillment shapes our ability to comprehend and act upon life’s deeper meanings, urging us to appreciate the importance of experiencing happiness in its fullest form in order to gain insight into our lives.
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