“Love requires time, heart, and immense energy.”
- 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
「愛とは、暇と心と莫大なエネルギーとを要するものです」
English
“Love requires time, heart, and immense energy.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima presents love as an arduous and consuming endeavor, one that demands not just emotional investment but also substantial time and effort. By using the word “immense,” he emphasizes the exhausting nature of love, suggesting that it is not a passive or fleeting feeling but rather a force that requires active participation. Love, in his view, is not something easily achieved or sustained, but a continual investment of one’s resources—emotional, mental, and physical. Mishima’s words imply that to truly love, one must be willing to dedicate significant portions of their life and energy to another person.
Mishima’s outlook reflects his broader themes of intense emotional experiences and the sacrifices inherent in love. Throughout his works, love is often portrayed as both beautiful and demanding, where individuals must give up parts of themselves to nurture a connection with another. His portrayal of love contrasts with the idealized, effortless notions often associated with romantic love, instead revealing it as something requiring constant work and attention. This perspective also ties into Mishima’s view of passion and sacrifice as integral to human existence, where love becomes a trial of endurance, testing one’s capacity for devotion.
In contemporary terms, this quote can be seen as a reminder of the effort required in modern relationships. As relationships become more complex in the age of constant communication and social media, the demand for time, attention, and emotional energy has increased, with people often feeling overwhelmed by the expectations and commitments that come with love. Mishima’s words serve as a reminder that authentic love requires more than surface-level gestures—it calls for deep, consistent engagement that sustains the bond between individuals.
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