“To suffer from being an outsider is the same as suffering from being human.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「余計者たるに悩むことは、人間たるに悩むことと同然である。」
English
“To suffer from being an outsider is the same as suffering from being human.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima explores the existential struggle of being an outsider, suggesting that the alienation or isolation one feels from society or a group is intrinsically connected to the human condition itself. The idea that suffering from being an “extra” or an outsider is equivalent to the fundamental suffering of being human reflects Mishima’s belief that alienation is an inherent part of the human experience. Whether one feels detached from society, culture, or simply other people, this feeling of being an outsider mirrors the broader existential crisis faced by all human beings: the awareness of one’s individuality and the separation from others.
Mishima may be suggesting that no matter how much one might strive to belong or find a sense of community, the human condition is ultimately defined by a sense of loneliness or separation. In this sense, the outsider and the average person are both engaged in the same internal struggle—the struggle to make sense of their identity in a world that often feels indifferent or alienating. The outsider’s suffering, therefore, is not an anomaly but rather a reflection of a deeper, more universal human existential dilemma.
In a modern context, this quote resonates with the disconnection many people feel in today’s society, where individuality often clashes with collective norms or expectations. Whether one feels like an outsider because of their social status, cultural background, or personal beliefs, this sense of alienation can be deeply unsettling. Mishima’s words remind us that the struggle for identity and belonging is not limited to a particular group but is a core element of the human experience itself. The quote calls us to reflect on how we perceive our place in the world and how existential suffering, in all its forms, is part of the shared human condition.
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