“Anything clean will inevitably be soiled, and a white shirt will inevitably turn gray.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
- He became a representative figure of postwar Japanese literature, and was highly acclaimed both at home and abroad. He pursued his own unique aesthetic with themes of beauty and death, and ultimately committed seppuku at a Self-Defense Forces garrison. His life, which combined literature with action, continues to have a strong influence today.
Japanese
「清潔なものは必ず汚され、白いシャツは必ず鼠色になる」
English
“Anything clean will inevitably be soiled, and a white shirt will inevitably turn gray.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima reflects on the inevitability of corruption and imperfection in the world. He uses the metaphor of a clean white shirt that will eventually turn gray to convey the idea that purity and innocence are often short-lived and subject to the harsh realities of life. The white shirt, symbolizing something pure, inevitably becomes tainted or soiled, just as cleanliness or idealism is often compromised by the complexities and challenges of reality. This reflection aligns with Mishima’s broader themes of impermanence, transformation, and the inevitable flaws that shape human existence. The quote suggests that no matter how careful or controlled one is, there are forces beyond our control that will cause the pure to become impure.
Mishima’s words also carry a sense of fatalism—the belief that certain aspects of life are unavoidable. The transition from cleanliness to dirt, like the inevitable aging or decay of life, is a process that cannot be stopped. Just as a white shirt will eventually turn gray, so too will life inevitably experience moments of corruption, compromise, and loss. This idea reflects Mishima’s view of the fragility of beauty, virtue, and innocence. These qualities, while pure at first, cannot escape the influence of time and the world’s inherent chaos and imperfection.
In a modern context, Mishima’s quote reminds us of the transitory nature of purity in a world that often favors realism and pragmatism. In today’s society, where the ideal often clashes with the real, this quote could be interpreted as a reflection on the impermanence of ideals—whether in personal morality, relationships, or society at large. The inevitability of compromise and change is an inherent part of the human experience, and Mishima’s words encourage us to accept this reality while striving to maintain our integrity despite the forces that may seek to taint or dilute it. The idea that purity is temporary but valuable serves as both a warning and a reminder to appreciate what is clean while it lasts, even as we recognize its transience.
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