“The passage of time gradually turns the sublime into something absurd.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「時の流れは、崇高なものを、なしくずしに、滑稽なものに変えていく。」
English
“The passage of time gradually turns the sublime into something absurd.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima reflects on the corrosive effect of time on what is noble or sublime, suggesting that as time passes, the grandeur and dignity of lofty ideals or achievements often become eroded, turning into something laughable or absurd. This transformation speaks to the inevitable decay of all things, no matter how revered or elevated they might be at one point in time. What once seemed sacred, inspiring, or important is often reduced to a mockery or triviality as the relentless force of time moves forward, leaving irrelevance in its wake. Mishima seems to mourn this loss of idealism and purity, viewing it as a tragic but inevitable part of the human condition.
Mishima’s comment speaks to his broader concerns with impermanence and the transitory nature of existence. He frequently explored the tension between the ephemeral nature of life and the pursuit of higher ideals. This quote can be interpreted as a commentary on how cultural values, heroic acts, or even personal legacies can lose their significance or meaning as time wears them down. The sublime, which represents the highest and most noble forms of human thought and achievement, is not immune to this degradation. In the face of time’s inexorable march, even the most sacred or venerated ideals can be reduced to insignificance or become the subject of mockery.
In a modern context, Mishima’s words offer a powerful reflection on how historical figures, movements, and even great ideas are often diminished over time, as their original meaning or purpose fades into obscurity. What was once seen as revolutionary or inspiring can, with the passage of time, become something of nostalgic amusement or ironic detachment. Mishima’s critique challenges us to consider how we engage with legacy and idealism today—whether we allow the passage of time to strip away the meaning from what we once held sacred, or whether we can find ways to preserve and honor those ideals in a world that constantly threatens to reduce them to absurdity.
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