No Longer Human, known in Japan as Ningen Shikkaku, is a novel written by Japanese author Osamu Dazai. The story follows the life of a young man, Oba Yozo, as he struggles to find his place in the world. The novel is widely regarded as one of the best works of Japanese literature, and its quotes are thought to be some of the most powerful and thought-provoking in the language. Here, we’ll explore some of the most famous No Longer Human quotes, and what they mean.
“People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.”
This quote from No Longer Human speaks to a common theme in the novel: that of isolation. Oba Yozo feels alone and disconnected from the world around him, and the quote reflects this sentiment. It speaks of the loneliness that results from building walls instead of bridges, and how this can lead to a lack of meaningful connection with others. It’s a reminder to reach out to others and try to form meaningful relationships, instead of shutting them out.
“It is better to be unhappy alone, than unhappy with someone.”
This quote, like many in the novel, reflects Oba Yozo’s struggle to find his place in the world. He is often miserable and feels that he is not fit for society, so he opts to be alone instead of being with someone who will make him feel worse. The quote speaks to the idea of self-preservation, and that sometimes it’s better to be alone than to be with someone who will make you feel worse. It’s also a reminder to be mindful of who we choose to spend our time with, and that it’s not always best to be with someone just for the sake of not being alone.
“Life is not a matter of having good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.”
This quote speaks to a key theme of the novel: that life is unpredictable and full of struggle. Oba Yozo often feels that his life is not the one he was meant to have, and this quote reflects that sentiment. It speaks of the importance of making the most of a difficult situation and of learning how to play the cards you’re dealt. It’s a reminder that no matter what hand life deals us, it’s important to make the best of it.
“I want to be able to laugh, even if it’s at my own foolishness.”
This quote speaks to Oba Yozo’s desire to find joy in life, despite his struggles. He wants to be able to laugh, even if it’s at his own foolishness, and this speaks to his desire to accept himself and find joy in life. It’s a reminder to be able to laugh at ourselves and our mistakes, and to find joy in the small things in life.
“The only thing worth living for is to live for yourself.”
This quote speaks to Oba Yozo’s struggle to find his place in the world. He often feels that he is not fit for society, and so he opts to live for himself instead of trying to live up to the expectations of others. It’s a reminder to focus on our own needs and desires, and to not let other people dictate how we live our lives.
“Life is too short to waste on regrets.”
This quote speaks to the importance of living in the present and not dwelling on the past. Oba Yozo often feels regret for his past actions, but he knows that life is too short to dwell on them. It’s a reminder to focus on the present and to make the best of every moment.
“No matter how many mistakes you make, you are still you.”
This quote speaks to Oba Yozo’s struggle to accept himself, despite his mistakes. It’s a reminder to accept ourselves, no matter how many mistakes we make. It’s a reminder that our mistakes do not define us, and that we are still worthy of love and acceptance.
“The only way to live is to accept each minute as an unrepeatable miracle.”
This quote speaks to the importance of living in the present and appreciating every moment. Oba Yozo often feels that his life is not the one he was meant to have, but he knows that he must accept and make the most of every moment. It’s a reminder to make the most of every moment and to appreciate the small moments of joy in life.
“The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.”
This quote speaks to the idea that life is short and that we should make the most of it. Oba Yozo often feels that he has wasted his life, but he knows that it is never too late to start anew. It’s a reminder to not wait until it’s too late to begin living, and to make the most of every moment.
Conclusion
No Longer Human is a powerful novel, and its quotes are some of the most thought-provoking in literature. These quotes speak to common themes in the novel, such as loneliness, self-acceptance, and the importance of living in the present. We can all learn from these quotes and use them in our own lives to be more mindful, self-aware, and grateful for every moment.
