“Old people learn that time includes intoxication. By the time they learn, the wine sufficient for intoxication has already been lost.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「老人は時が酩酊を含むことを学ぶ。学んだときはすでに、酩酊に足るほどの酒は失われている。」
English
“Old people learn that time includes intoxication. By the time they learn, the wine sufficient for intoxication has already been lost.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima reflects on the passage of time and the inevitable loss that accompanies aging. He suggests that as people grow older, they come to realize that life—like intoxication—can be full of moments of intensity, pleasure, and exhilaration. However, by the time this realization dawns, the youthful vitality and opportunity to fully experience life’s pleasures have already faded. The intoxication of life, which may symbolize the exhilaration and freedom of youth, is unreachable once one has gained the wisdom of age.
Mishima’s words highlight the tragic nature of aging—the realization that time, though full of potential for joy and fulfillment, is something that slips away before one can truly seize it. The wine here symbolizes life’s vitality or youthful energy, which, once lost, cannot be reclaimed. This quote captures a sense of regret or nostalgia, emphasizing the fleeting nature of youth and the inevitable disappointment that comes with the passage of time. Mishima suggests that the wisdom gained with age comes too late to fully appreciate or experience life’s most intoxicating moments.
In a modern context, this quote can speak to the universal experience of growing older, where one gains a deeper understanding of life’s true value, but often finds that the opportunities for certain pleasures—whether they be adventures, romantic relationships, or youthful freedom—have already passed. Mishima’s words remind us that the realization of life’s richness and potential often comes at the cost of time and irreversible change, leaving us to reflect on what could have been or what we have lost.
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