“Often, the eccentric and the idealist are two sides of the same coin.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「変り者と理想家とは、一つの貨幣の両面であることが多い」
English
“Often, the eccentric and the idealist are two sides of the same coin.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima suggests that the eccentric and the idealist share a common root or essence, despite appearing to be quite different. The eccentric is often seen as someone who defies convention and behaves in ways that are considered unusual or odd, while the idealist is someone who pursues lofty, sometimes unrealistic, goals based on an ideal vision of the world. Mishima argues that these two types of individuals are often deeply connected, as both challenge the status quo in different ways. The eccentric does so through behavioral deviation, while the idealist challenges the world’s shortcomings by trying to create something better. Both, in Mishima’s view, are driven by a strong sense of individualism and a refusal to conform to society’s expectations, making them two expressions of the same underlying impulse to resist conventional norms.
Mishima frequently explored the tension between the individual and society. In his works, characters who were seen as eccentric often represented the struggle for personal freedom or the confrontation with societal expectations, while idealists represented those who wished to transform society or achieve a higher moral or aesthetic vision. By linking these two types of individuals, Mishima underscores that both are, in a way, rebels—the eccentric through their personal expression and the idealist through their vision for change. Both, though they appear to be different, share a deep connection in their refusal to accept the ordinary and their pursuit of something beyond the everyday world.
In a modern context, this quote speaks to the continuing struggle between individual expression and societal expectations. Today, eccentrics and idealists still challenge the conventional in distinct ways, yet they are often similarly labeled as misfits or dreamers. Mishima’s words encourage us to consider how nonconformity—whether through unconventional behavior or idealistic pursuits—is a form of resistance that has the potential to either inspire change or create alienation. By recognizing that eccentrics and idealists are often two sides of the same coin, we are reminded that individualism and visionary goals often stem from a common desire to transcend the limitations of society, even if the forms of expression differ.
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