“In this world, things done seriously mostly fail, while things done unseriously often go well.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「世の中って、真面目にしたことは大てい失敗するし、不真面目にしたことはうまく行く。」
English
“In this world, things done seriously mostly fail, while things done unseriously often go well.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima reflects on the ironic nature of life, where serious efforts often lead to failure, while casual or unserious actions seem to succeed more easily. This statement touches on the frustrating unpredictability of life, where the effort and dedication one puts into tasks do not always correlate with successful outcomes. Mishima’s words suggest that intention and earnestness may sometimes be met with resistance or failure, while a lack of seriousness can, paradoxically, bring about unintended success. This paradox may reflect the absurdity of human existence, where the laws of effort and reward do not always apply in a straightforward manner.
Mishima may also be pointing to a cultural observation: in some situations, particularly those where social expectations or conformity are heavily emphasized, the more genuine efforts made with integrity can be seen as unsuccessful or even futile. In contrast, actions that appear flippant or lacking in seriousness might be rewarded or accepted more easily, often due to their non-threatening nature or their detachment from societal pressures. This reflects a disillusionment with the way effort and purpose are sometimes undervalued or overlooked, while superficiality or unconcern can unexpectedly lead to success.
In a modern context, this quote can apply to various aspects of life, such as career pursuits, personal relationships, or even social media presence, where authenticity or hard work does not always guarantee recognition or reward. Mishima’s reflection might resonate with contemporary feelings of frustration or irony, as people often see superficial success achieved by those who may not put forth the same level of commitment or effort. This quote serves as a critique of the sometimes unpredictable and absurd nature of the world, where truth, effort, and sincerity are not always rewarded as they should be.
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