“Just as there are days when kindness falls upon everyone, there are also days when malice falls upon everyone.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「すべての人の上に厚意が落ちかかる日があるように、すべての人の上に悪意が落ちかかる日があるものだ」
English
“Just as there are days when kindness falls upon everyone, there are also days when malice falls upon everyone.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima reflects on the unpredictability and dual nature of human experience, suggesting that both good and bad emotions—kindness and malice—are part of everyone’s life. He uses the image of falling to convey the sense that both kindness and malice can come from outside influences, descending upon individuals unexpectedly. This highlights the idea that circumstances and social interactions are often beyond our control, and that we may find ourselves receiving or being subjected to emotions or actions that we did not ask for. Mishima’s use of “falling” implies that these forces—whether positive or negative—are involuntary, and often timing and context play a crucial role in their occurrence.
Mishima’s words also suggest that both kindness and malice are universal experiences. Just as everyone has moments where they are the recipient of kindness, there will inevitably be times when malice or hostility will fall upon them as well. This reflects his belief in the inevitable ebb and flow of human emotions, and the constant fluctuations in how people experience the world. The quote underscores the uncertainty of life, where good and bad moments are often random and unpredictable, and everyone, regardless of their position in life, is subject to both.
In a modern context, Mishima’s reflection on kindness and malice speaks to the complexity of human interactions in a world where emotions and intentions are constantly in flux. Today, with the rise of social media and public life, people can experience both overwhelming kindness and unexpected hostility in the digital and real world. Mishima’s quote serves as a reminder of the impermanence and vulnerability of human existence, encouraging us to accept that life will inevitably bring moments of both light and dark, and that we must be resilient in the face of both, without allowing either extreme to define us.
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