“Because it is determined, our possibilities are infinite, and because we are restrained, our flight is eternal.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「決定されているが故に僕らの可能性は無限であり、止められているが故に僕らの飛翔は永遠である」
English
“Because it is determined, our possibilities are infinite, and because we are restrained, our flight is eternal.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima presents a paradoxical view of human existence—one where certainty and restraint lead to freedom and endlessness. By stating that our possibilities are infinite because they are determined, Mishima implies that the boundaries or limitations imposed on us can paradoxically create boundless opportunities. When the outcome or the direction of our lives is fixed or determined, we are freed from the burden of uncertainty, allowing us to fully explore and utilize the potential of what we can become. The infinite possibilities stem from the clarity that comes with knowing the direction, suggesting that constraint in one area can open up unlimited freedom in another.
Similarly, Mishima argues that restraint leads to an eternal flight. By stopping us from acting in limitless or reckless ways, restraint ensures that our pursuits are focused and enduring, granting them a sense of timelessness. This tension between freedom and restraint reflects Mishima’s broader exploration of the human condition, where true growth or progress often comes not through absolute freedom, but through limitations that shape and direct our actions. The quote suggests that while the external world may impose restrictions on us, these restrictions, in fact, give our flight—our potential to soar toward a purpose—an eternal quality, making our journey more meaningful and enduring.
In a modern context, this quote can be interpreted as a reflection on how structure and limitations—whether in society, personal goals, or philosophies—can enhance rather than diminish human potential. Today, many people feel overwhelmed by unlimited choices or uncertainty, yet Mishima’s words remind us that the imposition of boundaries, whether in our careers, relationships, or self-discipline, can actually lead to greater fulfillment and endurance. Rather than seeing limitations as something that constricts, Mishima’s perspective encourages us to view them as forces that refine our focus and grant our efforts the potential for lasting impact.
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