“Crystallized evil is as beautiful as a white pill.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「結晶した悪は、白い錠剤のように美しい」
English
“Crystallized evil is as beautiful as a white pill.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima presents evil as something that, in its purest or most refined form, can be aesthetic and even beautiful. By likening evil to a white pill, Mishima evokes an image of something clean, neat, and attractive—attributes typically associated with beauty or purity. However, this beauty is not linked to the positive or virtuous; instead, it suggests that evil, when it is perfected or concentrated, can have a certain alluring quality, much like an object that is both simple and deceptively pure in appearance. The pill metaphor suggests that, just as a pill may look harmless or inviting while concealing its potentially harmful effects, evil, when crystallized, can be deceptive—appearing beautiful while hiding its destructive nature beneath the surface.
Mishima often explored the complex relationship between beauty and violence, particularly in the context of aestheticism and moral philosophy. He frequently suggested that beauty, when not grounded in virtue, can become a mask for destruction or decay. In this sense, his comparison of evil to a pill speaks to the dangerous potential of things that appear beautiful or desirable on the outside, yet are capable of causing harm or corruption when consumed or embraced. The quote underscores the idea that evil does not always present itself as ugly or malicious, but may, in fact, be enticing and seductive, often wrapped in a guise that appeals to human desires or sensibilities.
In a modern context, this quote speaks to the appeal of corruption or decay in contemporary culture, where harmful ideologies, toxic behaviors, or unethical actions can often be wrapped in attractive packages—whether through media, advertising, or social trends. Mishima’s words remind us to be cautious of things that appear appealing at first glance, as they may conceal their true nature, much like the pill that looks harmless but could have dangerous consequences. His metaphor encourages us to recognize that beauty, when disconnected from moral grounding, can become a tool for manipulation and destruction, urging us to critically examine the underlying values behind the things we are drawn to.
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