“A smile is the final sign of not accepting humanity, an invisible dart shot from the curved lips.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「微笑とは、決して人間を容認しないという最後のしるし、弓なりの唇が放つ見えない吹矢だ。」
English
“A smile is the final sign of not accepting humanity, an invisible dart shot from the curved lips.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima presents a cynical and unconventional view of the smile—often regarded as a symbol of warmth, friendliness, or acceptance. Instead, Mishima describes it as the last sign of rejection or distance, something that masks true feelings and hides a more critical or dismissive attitude. The smile, with its curved lips, is likened to an invisible dart, a weapon that conveys an unspoken message of detachment or condemnation. This perspective underscores Mishima’s tendency to explore the duality of human emotions, where outward appearances often mask deeper, more complex truths.
Mishima suggests that the smile, in this sense, becomes a mechanism of defense, a way of interacting with others that hides true emotions or intentions. It serves as a social façade, a tool for navigating interpersonal relationships without truly engaging with the authentic complexities of human connection. The smile, instead of being an expression of joy or acceptance, becomes a barrier, a final means of holding others at arm’s length. It represents an emotional distance, where the person smiling may seem polite or approachable, but underneath, there is a deep-seated inability or unwillingness to accept the human condition in its rawness.
In a modern context, Mishima’s words could be interpreted as a critique of how social niceties—such as the smile—often conceal the truths and vulnerabilities of individuals in a world that values appearances over authenticity. In today’s society, people may smile to conform to social expectations or to maintain personal boundaries, but this smile may mask deeper alienation, cynicism, or disconnection. Mishima’s reflection challenges us to question the true meaning behind everyday gestures and reminds us that outward expressions, like a smile, can often be decoupled from the real emotions or attitudes that people experience.
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