“For a healthy young person, perhaps the most urgent need is the thought of ‘death.'”
- 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
「健康な青年にとって、おそらく一等緊急な必要は「死」の思想だ」
English
“For a healthy young person, perhaps the most urgent need is the thought of ‘death.'”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima asserts that for a healthy young person, the most crucial philosophical reflection they need is on the concept of death. Mishima suggests that youth, in its natural vigor and idealism, often feels invincible and detached from the reality of mortality. However, he argues that it is precisely this awareness of death that can provide the necessary perspective for living a full, meaningful life. The thought of death serves as a stark reminder of life’s fragility and impermanence, urging the young to recognize the finite nature of their existence. Mishima sees this recognition as vital for understanding the true value of life, as it forces individuals to confront the reality of their limited time, motivating them to live more purposefully and authentically.
Mishima’s perspective on death aligns with his broader themes of existential awareness and the tension between life and mortality. Throughout his works, Mishima often explores the idea that living fully requires acknowledging death, rather than avoiding it. In his view, the young—with all their energy and potential—must not shy away from the inevitable but instead embrace it as a driving force that gives meaning to their choices and actions. The thought of death, according to Mishima, becomes an anchor for the young, helping them to focus on what truly matters and to shape their actions around the understanding that life is fleeting.
In a modern context, Mishima’s words invite reflection on how young people today often avoid contemplating mortality. In a world that emphasizes youthfulness and immortality, where technology and culture often offer distractions from the inevitability of death, his message calls for a reconnection with the reality of human mortality. The awareness of death can serve as a catalyst for living a more intentional life, one that embraces both the beauty and the urgency of existence. Mishima’s quote encourages young people to think critically about their limited time and to use the thought of death to inspire a deeper, more purpose-driven approach to life.
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