“True beauty is that which silences people.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「本当の美とは人を黙らせるものであります。」
English
“True beauty is that which silences people.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima expresses the idea that genuine beauty has a powerful, almost inexpressible quality that leaves people speechless. The essence of true beauty, in Mishima’s view, is not something that can be easily described or articulated, but rather something so profound and overwhelming that it elicits silence in those who encounter it. This silence is not just a lack of words, but a pause in the mind—a moment of awe where the beauty of the object or experience is so captivating that it renders ordinary language insufficient.
Mishima may be pointing to the idea that real beauty transcends conceptualization. It is beyond the reach of rational thought or analysis, and instead, it speaks directly to the senses and the soul. This type of beauty cannot be reduced to words or categories; it must be experienced, often in silence, as something that transcends the mundane and connects us to something deeper. In this sense, beauty becomes a force that stirs and elevates the individual, leaving them in awe and making it impossible to fully capture or explain in ordinary terms.
In a modern context, this quote highlights the ineffable nature of beauty in all its forms—whether in art, nature, or human experiences. True beauty today often invokes a sense of wonder that makes words feel insufficient, and it reminds us that the most powerful and moving experiences are often those that cannot be easily expressed. Mishima’s assertion emphasizes that beauty is not just an aesthetic concept but an experience that transcends intellectual or verbal understanding, leaving those who encounter it in silent admiration.
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