Longing Quote by Yukio Mishima
““He found himself in the strange predicament all sailors share: essentially he belonged neither to the land nor to the sea. Possibly a man who hates the land should dwell on shore forever. Alienation and the long voyages at sea will compel him once again to dream of it, torment him with the absurdity of longing for something that he loathes.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Sea and the Land, 1975
A sailor feels alienated, belonging neither to land nor sea, leading to longing for the very thing he despises.
In simple terms: Sailors feel torn between land and sea, longing for what they hate.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and reconcile conflicting desires.
Themes
alienation
longing
identity
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career choices
- migration
- personal identity
- mental health
- creative writing
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
literature
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the sea symbolize for you?
- How to accept contradictory feelings?
A Different Perspective
Longing may persist despite resolution, causing ongoing tension.
