“Ultimately, humans choose themselves beforehand.”
- 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
「人間は結局、前以て自分を選ぶものだ。」
English
“Ultimately, humans choose themselves beforehand.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima suggests that humans make choices about their identity and destiny before they consciously realize it. He implies that individuals are not merely shaped by external circumstances or events, but that they actively select the direction of their lives through preconceived ideas or inner choices. This choice, according to Mishima, is made before the individual faces the challenges or decisions that will define their path. It reflects the idea that identity is not something simply bestowed upon us by the world, but something we actively create through the choices we make, even in the unseen or unconscious parts of ourselves.
Mishima’s statement reflects a belief in the agency and autonomy of individuals, suggesting that even when people seem to be swept along by forces beyond their control, they have already chosen who they are to be in the deepest parts of their consciousness. This perspective implies that our thoughts, desires, and actions are guided by an underlying self-definition that we have shaped long before we take concrete steps. The essence of self-identity, according to Mishima, is not merely reactive or passive but is actively constructed from within, long before external influences come into play.
In a modern context, this quote resonates with the growing recognition of the importance of self-awareness and personal responsibility in shaping one’s life. In an era of complex societal pressures and external influences, Mishima’s words remind us that, ultimately, our sense of self and life choices are formed by decisions we make at a deeper, perhaps subconscious level. This idea could encourage individuals to reflect on how their choices—whether related to their values, ambitions, or identity—shape their lives and experiences even before they take physical form. It also underscores the power of agency in constructing one’s path, despite the challenges or external pressures one may face.
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