“Because no one loves, no one wounds.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「誰も愛さないから、誰からも傷を負わない。」
English
“Because no one loves, no one wounds.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima explores the relationship between love and vulnerability. He suggests that by choosing not to love anyone, one can avoid the pain and suffering that often come from emotional attachment. Love, in this view, makes us vulnerable, opening us up to potential hurt or betrayal. By not loving, an individual protects themselves from the possibility of being wounded by others. This approach, however, is not without its own cost, as it can lead to a life of emotional detachment and isolation, where the absence of love prevents one from experiencing the joys and fulfillment that come with connection and affection.
Mishima’s quote reflects his larger themes of emotional struggle, vulnerability, and the cost of detachment. He often examined how the fear of pain or suffering can lead individuals to shut themselves off from the deeper experiences of life, including love. While avoiding love may protect one from hurt, it also denies one the potential beauty and meaning that love can bring. Mishima’s view is somewhat tragic in that it highlights the paradox of human relationships: that the very things that make us most alive—like love—are also those that make us most susceptible to pain and sorrow.
In a modern context, Mishima’s observation resonates with the widespread phenomenon of emotional detachment or fear of vulnerability in contemporary life. In a world where many people protect themselves from emotional risks—through guarded relationships, self-reliance, or cynicism—Mishima’s words encourage us to question whether emotional protection is ultimately worth the loss of connection and meaning. His quote challenges us to confront the balance between the protection from hurt and the fulfillment that can come from embracing love and the possibility of pain that accompanies it.
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