“One must not disdain vanity. In this world, there are vanities that are supremely noble.”
- 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
「虚栄心を軽蔑してはならない。世の中には壮烈きわまる虚栄心もあるのである」
English
“One must not disdain vanity. In this world, there are vanities that are supremely noble.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima challenges the common view that vanity—the excessive belief in one’s own appearance, abilities, or worth—is inherently negative or unworthy of respect. He suggests that there are forms of vanity that are noble or heroic in nature. Mishima’s perspective reflects his belief in the complexity of human motivations and virtues. While vanity is often associated with superficiality and self-obsession, Mishima points out that there are instances where vanity can be tied to noble ideals or sacrifices, especially when it reflects a deep commitment to honor, aesthetic perfection, or sacred values. In this sense, he does not view vanity solely as a weakness but as something that, when connected to higher purposes, can become a driving force for personal greatness.
This quote also touches upon Mishima’s recurring themes of honor, individualism, and the aesthetic pursuit of beauty in his works. He often depicted characters who, despite being marked by pride or vanity, were driven by a noble sense of purpose—whether it be in the pursuit of art, martial virtue, or self-discipline. In Mishima’s view, vanity is not always a flaw to be condemned, but a force that can be harnessed toward noble ends. The supremely noble vanity Mishima refers to might be the vanity that drives a person to excellence in a particular field or to embody an ideal of aesthetic or moral beauty, even at great personal cost.
In a modern context, Mishima’s quote invites reflection on the role of self-esteem and pride in our lives today. While vanity is often dismissed in contemporary discourse as a negative trait, Mishima’s statement reminds us that pride and self-awareness can sometimes lead to positive outcomes when they are aligned with higher purposes or noble ideals. It challenges us to reconsider whether vanity, when driven by honor, perfection, or self-sacrifice, might not only be worthy of respect but also serve as a motivating force for personal and collective achievement. Mishima’s words prompt us to think about how we can embrace our vanities—our pride or self-image—in a way that aligns with greater values and contributes to meaningful goals, rather than rejecting them outright as flaws.
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