“In life, only the things you don’t know are useful, because once you know something, it becomes useless.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「人生では知らないことだけが役に立つので、知ってしまったことは役にも立たない」
English
“In life, only the things you don’t know are useful, because once you know something, it becomes useless.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima suggests a paradoxical view of knowledge and its role in life. He implies that ignorance or the unknown holds more potential for personal growth and discovery than what is already known. Once something is learned or understood, it becomes static and no longer provides the same opportunity for growth or expansion as the unknown does. This perspective aligns with the idea that the process of learning is more important than the end result—the journey of discovery and exploration is what offers true value in life, while once something is known, it can feel limiting or even counterproductive, as it closes the door to further curiosity.
Mishima’s perspective reflects his broader themes of impermanence and change. Throughout his works, he often explored how knowledge and experience can shape and sometimes limit our ability to engage with the world in new and meaningful ways. In this sense, knowing something might create a sense of finality or closure, whereas the unknown constantly invites us to question, explore, and grow. By positioning the unknown as useful, Mishima encourages us to embrace uncertainty and curiosity, as they are the driving forces behind innovation, creativity, and personal development.
In a modern context, Mishima’s quote speaks to the value of continuous learning and the limitations of certainty. In a world that often prizes knowledge and expertise, Mishima’s words remind us that the unknown offers unlimited potential for personal and intellectual growth. Complacency in what we already know can lead to stagnation, while embracing uncertainty and the unexplored can open new doors and fuel progress. Mishima’s call to embrace the unknown encourages a mindset of lifelong curiosity, where the quest for understanding never ends and is always in motion.
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