“Those who believe that enjoyment cannot be bought with money are sentimental rich people.”
- 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
「金でたのしみが買えないと思っているのは、センチメンタルな金持だけです」
English
“Those who believe that enjoyment cannot be bought with money are sentimental rich people.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima challenges the idea that true enjoyment or fulfillment cannot be obtained through wealth. He suggests that only sentimental or idealistic wealthy individuals hold this belief. Mishima’s view is that material wealth offers the ability to acquire pleasures, whether they are luxuries, experiences, or even emotional satisfaction. He implies that those who are overly sentimental about the limits of wealth are perhaps romanticizing poverty or self-denial, assuming that the best things in life are beyond monetary reach. Mishima’s criticism points to the contradiction between materialism and the belief in non-material fulfillment, where wealth provides not just physical comforts, but the ability to buy pleasure as well.
Mishima often explored themes of materialism, power, and identity, and in this quote, he seems to critique the romantic notion that the rich should be above the pursuit of pleasure through money. His statement reveals a pragmatic view of wealth, where money is seen as a tool for achieving happiness, especially in a world where social status and luxury are valued. Mishima’s perspective is cynical, in that he views those who deny the role of money in happiness as being naively sentimental, out of touch with the realities of their privileged positions. By calling them sentimental, Mishima underscores his belief that the wealthy should not pretend to be above the benefits money can bring, such as pleasure, comfort, and security.
In a modern context, this quote raises questions about the relationship between wealth and happiness in contemporary society. Today, there are still debates around whether money can buy true happiness or meaningful enjoyment. Mishima’s words challenge the idealistic view that material wealth is shallow or unimportant, suggesting instead that it provides a practical means to enjoy life in the way that material wealth enables access to experiences and luxuries that enhance one’s quality of life. However, his viewpoint also raises the counter-argument that emotional fulfillment and authentic happiness cannot be reduced to financial status, and that real contentment comes from non-material sources such as relationships, personal growth, and spiritual fulfillment. Mishima’s statement remains a reflection of the complex tension between material wealth and emotional well-being in the modern world.
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