“A paradox may serve as an excuse in the moment, but it can never be a true excuse.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「逆説はその場のがれにこそなれ、本当の言いのがれにはなりえない」
English
“A paradox may serve as an excuse in the moment, but it can never be a true excuse.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima suggests that paradoxes, while they might provide a temporary escape or justification in the heat of the moment, cannot serve as genuine excuses for one’s actions or behavior. A paradox—an apparent contradiction or impossibility—can provide a way to avoid direct confrontation with difficult truths or inconvenient realities. However, Mishima argues that paradoxes lack the depth and validity to serve as a true excuse for one’s actions or mistakes. In essence, they are short-term solutions, offering a way to avoid responsibility or clarity, but not a sustainable or honest justification. A true excuse, Mishima implies, requires substance and rationality, rather than simply relying on a contradictory or illogical escape.
Mishima’s view reflects his broader exploration of truth, responsibility, and authenticity in human existence. He often emphasized the importance of honesty and integrity, both in personal conduct and in the way individuals relate to society. By presenting paradoxes as only temporary escapes, he suggests that true accountability comes from facing the contradictions in one’s life and making sense of them with clarity and purpose, rather than relying on clever wordplay or contradictions to justify behavior. Mishima’s message calls for individuals to engage with life honestly, without resorting to intellectual evasions that offer only a momentary reprieve but fail to provide lasting understanding or resolution.
In a modern context, Mishima’s words speak to how people today often use paradoxes or logical inconsistencies to avoid difficult conversations or accountability. For example, in the political and social spheres, individuals or organizations might use paradoxical arguments to deflect responsibility or justify controversial actions. Mishima’s quote serves as a reminder that while paradoxes may provide temporary relief or escape, they do not offer genuine solutions or explanations. To truly move forward in life, one must confront contradictions with honesty and clarity, rather than relying on intellectual shortcuts that ultimately avoid the truth.
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