“Humans do not love animals that live longer than themselves. The condition for being loved is the brevity of life.”
- 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
「人間は自分より永生きする家畜は愛さないものだ。愛されることの条件は、生命の短かさだった。」
English
“Humans do not love animals that live longer than themselves. The condition for being loved is the brevity of life.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima suggests that the nature of love is intricately tied to the impermanence of life. He argues that humans find it difficult to love creatures—even pets or animals—that outlive them, as it forces them to confront the inevitability of their own mortality. The idea that love is conditioned by life’s brevity speaks to the human fear of death and the existential discomfort that arises from acknowledging the finite nature of one’s own existence. Mishima suggests that the shortness of life makes relationships more intense and meaningful, as they are bounded by time, which in turn makes them more precious and cherished. The brevity of life, for both humans and animals, is a key factor in what makes relationships emotionally significant and urgent.
Mishima’s observation also reflects his broader themes about death, time, and mortality. In his work, he often explored how awareness of death can infuse life with meaning, pushing individuals to make their relationships and actions more meaningful and urgent. The idea that love is tied to the fleeting nature of life suggests that when something, or someone, is temporary—whether it is an animal or a human life—there is a sense of urgency and attachment that might not exist if that entity were to endure for eternity. Mishima’s reflection on life’s fragility and the shortness of time emphasizes how ephemeral relationships can sometimes feel more precious than those that seem endless.
In a modern context, this quote might speak to the value we place on fleeting moments or the idea that impermanence makes things more meaningful. With advancements in medicine and technology, which often aim to prolong life indefinitely, there is a growing sense that eternity or longevity may diminish the urgency and emotional depth that comes with knowing that life is short. Mishima’s words challenge us to consider how temporary relationships, whether with people or animals, shape our emotional lives and compel us to love more deeply, precisely because we know that these connections are limited by time.
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