“The philosophy that happiness is fleeting has the power to make both the unhappy and the happy feel good.”
- 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
「幸福がつかのまだという哲学は、不幸な人間も幸福な人間もどちらも好い気持にさせる力を持っている」
English
“The philosophy that happiness is fleeting has the power to make both the unhappy and the happy feel good.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima explores a philosophy that views happiness as something transitory—a fleeting state that is difficult to hold onto. He suggests that this idea, though centered on the impermanence of happiness, has a paradoxical effect: it can offer comfort or relief to both unhappy individuals and those who are content. For the unhappy, this philosophy provides a sense of hope or solace, suggesting that their current suffering is temporary and that happiness will eventually return. For the happy, it serves as a reminder of the fragility of their bliss, making them appreciate it more and cherish the present moment. In this way, the ephemeral nature of happiness becomes a unifying concept that transcends both states of being, offering comfort to those in pain and a deeper appreciation to those who are content.
Mishima’s view on the fleeting nature of happiness speaks to his broader themes of impermanence and transience. He often reflected on the fragility of human emotions and experiences, recognizing that pleasure and pain are temporary and constantly shifting. In this context, he seems to suggest that the awareness of happiness’ transience allows individuals to find peace in both their suffering and their joys, as they come to terms with the inevitable changes in their lives. Mishima implies that by accepting the impermanence of happiness, individuals can cultivate a deeper emotional resilience, learning to live in the moment without clinging to fleeting emotions.
In a modern context, Mishima’s quote resonates with the cyclic nature of human experience in a world full of ups and downs. The philosophy of happiness as temporary and transitory encourages reflection on how individuals today cope with life’s impermanence. It can serve as a reminder that both joy and suffering are part of the human condition and that, by accepting their ephemeral nature, we can learn to live with more acceptance and gratitude. This perspective invites us to appreciate the present moment, while also finding peace in the knowledge that emotional states are constantly in flux, and that both sorrow and happiness are integral parts of our journey.
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