“There is something beneficial to the soul in the clarity of pain.”
- 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
「苦痛の明晰さには、何か魂に有益なものがある」
English
“There is something beneficial to the soul in the clarity of pain.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima suggests that the clarity derived from pain has a positive or transformative effect on the soul. Rather than viewing pain solely as a negative experience to be avoided, Mishima sees it as an opportunity for spiritual growth. The clarity that comes from experiencing pain may allow an individual to confront reality in a deeper way, breaking through illusions or superficial understandings of life. In this sense, pain can strip away the artificial layers of existence, leaving a person with a more direct and unmediated understanding of their own humanity, as well as the world around them. Mishima’s view reflects a belief in the redemptive and purifying power of suffering, where enduring pain with awareness can lead to a clearer and more profound understanding of oneself.
Mishima often explored themes of suffering and sacrifice, viewing them not merely as burdens but as essential parts of the human condition that could lead to personal evolution. In his work, he depicted characters who, through their pain or struggles, were able to achieve a form of clarity that transcended the ordinary or superficial aspects of life. This clarity, in Mishima’s philosophy, was not simply a mental or intellectual understanding but a spiritual insight that deepens one’s connection to their inner self and to the larger existential questions of life. By viewing pain as a pathway to spiritual benefit, Mishima offers a counterpoint to modern attitudes that often seek to avoid or numb suffering at all costs.
In a modern context, Mishima’s quote encourages us to reflect on how suffering and pain are often seen as obstacles to be eliminated, rather than opportunities for growth. Today, many individuals and cultures prioritize comfort and pleasure as the ultimate goals of life, yet Mishima’s words suggest that pain, when experienced with awareness and clarity, may offer a deeper form of understanding and meaning. Whether in personal struggles, emotional pain, or the existential challenges we face, there may be something deeply beneficial in confronting suffering head-on, allowing it to shape us in ways that foster clarity about our true selves and our place in the world.
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