“It is a wise approach to grow old gradually while coming to terms with your own face.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「自分の顔と折合いをつけながら、だんだんに年をとってゆくのは賢明な方法である」
English
“It is a wise approach to grow old gradually while coming to terms with your own face.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima emphasizes the importance of accepting and embracing the inevitable process of aging. The face is symbolically tied to one’s identity, and Mishima suggests that growing older is not just about physical changes but also about accepting these changes as part of one’s self. To make peace with the aging process, especially one’s own appearance, is seen as a wise and mature approach. Rather than fighting or denying the effects of time, Mishima advocates for a gradual acceptance of the self as it changes. This acceptance is not about resignation but about wisdom and grace, recognizing that aging is an essential and inevitable part of life that must be integrated into one’s identity rather than resisted.
Mishima often explored themes of mortality, identity, and self-realization. He believed that youth and beauty are fleeting, but acceptance of these impermanent qualities is part of the process of becoming a more complete person. The wisdom in this quote lies in reconciliation—in coming to terms with the changes in one’s body and appearance over time. Mishima suggests that self-acceptance is crucial not just in youth but also in aging, as it allows the individual to continue to find meaning and purpose in their life, despite the outward transformations that accompany getting older.
In a modern context, Mishima’s quote reflects the pressure in today’s society to maintain youthfulness and beauty, often at the expense of accepting the natural process of aging. In an era dominated by youth-centric ideals and the pursuit of eternal beauty, Mishima’s words encourage a shift in perspective. Rather than focusing on the loss of youth or the fear of aging, he urges us to see aging as an opportunity for growth, self-awareness, and wisdom. This reflection on aging emphasizes the value of self-acceptance and the peace that comes from acknowledging that growing old is not a tragedy, but a natural part of the human experience.
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