“In every society, one can observe individuals who, by all appearances, seem completely unqualified, yet somehow they are **fated** to remain in their position.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「どこの社会にも、誰が見ても不適任者と思われる人が、そのくせ恰かも運命的にそこに居据っているのを見るものだ。」
English
“In every society, one can observe individuals who, by all appearances, seem completely unqualified, yet somehow they are **fated** to remain in their position.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima highlights the paradox of ineffectiveness or unfitness in social structures. He suggests that, in any society, there are always individuals who appear to be unsuited or unqualified for their roles, yet for some reason—perhaps due to circumstance or fate—they remain in those positions. Mishima’s reference to the idea of being “fated” emphasizes the sense of inevitability or unexplained persistence in such situations. It suggests that these individuals, despite being clearly unfit, continue to occupy positions of power or influence, often because of factors beyond merit or competence. This speaks to the irrationality or injustice that can sometimes be inherent in social and institutional structures, where individuals who do not deserve their position still manage to hold onto power.
Mishima often explored themes of social order, meritocracy, and the complexities of individual roles within a larger societal framework. This quote reflects his disillusionment with the way societies sometimes reward or sustain individuals who are not truly qualified, suggesting that these dynamics can feel arbitrary or unjust. It touches on the contrast between what is rational or merit-based versus the often chaotic, irrational forces that govern social hierarchies. Mishima’s view is that the presence of such unqualified individuals is not just a flaw of a specific society, but a universal issue that transcends cultures and time periods.
In a modern context, Mishima’s words resonate with ongoing discussions about leadership and authority, especially in the face of inequities or corruption within political, corporate, or institutional systems. Today, there are numerous examples in which unqualified individuals hold positions of power or influence, often due to connections, luck, or circumstantial factors rather than genuine ability or merit. Mishima’s insight serves as a reminder of the arbitrary nature of such systems and encourages us to critically examine how social roles are assigned and whether they truly reflect the qualifications and capabilities of the individuals who hold them.
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