“Compared to love, hatred moves humans far more powerfully.”
- 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
「愛情なんぞに比べれば、憎悪のほうがずっと力強く人間を動かしているんだからね」
English
“Compared to love, hatred moves humans far more powerfully.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima expresses a cynical view of human emotions, suggesting that hatred is a more potent force than love in motivating people’s actions. He emphasizes the intensity and destructiveness of hatred, which, in his view, has a greater capacity to drive human behavior than the often more fragile and fleeting emotion of love. Love, while essential to human connection, is portrayed as vulnerable and passive compared to the active and aggressive nature of hatred, which can push individuals to extreme actions.
Mishima’s perspective reflects his broader themes of violence and passion in his works, where human emotions are depicted as forces that can either create or destroy. Throughout his writings, he often explored the idea that people are more deeply influenced by negative emotions such as hate, jealousy, and resentment, which can drive decisions and actions with far more force than positive emotions like love. This might also relate to his own struggles with the concept of beauty, loyalty, and nationalism, where destructive forces were often central to his beliefs.
In a modern context, this quote can be understood in relation to political and social movements, where hatred and division often have a more immediate and powerful effect than the more constructive emotion of love. Examples include conflict-driven politics, social polarization, and even media that frequently capitalize on anger and resentment, as these emotions often generate stronger reactions and more engagement than positive sentiments like empathy or understanding.
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