“Daydreaming is not a mental activity as people think. It is, rather, an escape from the mind.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「夢想は人の考えているように精神の作用であるのではない。それはむしろ精神からの逃避である。」
English
“Daydreaming is not a mental activity as people think. It is, rather, an escape from the mind.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima challenges the common belief that daydreaming or fantasy is a product of the mind’s creative activity. Instead, he suggests that daydreaming is actually an escape from the mind itself—a means of avoiding the complexities, stresses, or limitations of rational thought. The mind, which is often tasked with dealing with practicality, responsibility, and the harsh realities of life, might turn to fantasy as a temporary refuge—a way to avoid confronting the complexities of real existence. In this view, dreaming is not a productive mental activity, but rather a response to mental fatigue or discomfort.
Mishima’s idea of daydreaming as an escape suggests that the act of escaping into fantasy is not an indication of mental strength or creative power, but rather a sign of mental weakness or an inability to cope with the demands of reality. Rather than being a higher function of the mind, dreaming becomes a means of retreat, where the individual relinquishes their engagement with the present world in favor of a more comfortable, idealized or disconnected existence. This reflects Mishima’s belief that true mental power comes from facing reality directly, without the need for escapes or illusions.
In a modern context, Mishima’s quote speaks to the role of fantasy and escapism in today’s world, where people may turn to media, entertainment, or daydreaming as a way to avoid confronting the pressures and difficulties of daily life. While fantasy can be a source of comfort, Mishima’s words challenge us to think critically about whether these escapes are truly helpful or whether they simply perpetuate a disconnection from the reality we need to engage with. The quote invites us to consider how we can find balance between our desire for escape and our need to engage fully with life’s challenges.
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