The Decay of the Angel - Yukio Mishima

a legal sort of evil. All puffed up by illusions born of
abstract concepts, you strut about as the master of a
destiny even though you have none of the
qualifications. You think you have seen to the ends of
the earth. But you have not once had an invitation
beyond the horizon. You have nothing to do with light
or enlightenment, there is no real spirit in flesh or in
heart. At least Ying Chan’s spirit was in the shining
beauty of her flesh. Nature has not had a glance for
you, it has not had a glimmer of hostility toward you.
The person Mr. Honda is looking for has to be one to
inspire jealousy of nature at its own creation.
“You’re a clever boy, no more. If someone pays
your expenses you swim through the entrance
examinations and a good job is waiting for you at the
other end. A model student for the Education Fund.
Propaganda material for the do-gooders who say that
if material wants are taken care of, all sorts of hidden
treasures will emerge. Mr. Honda was too good to
you, and gave you too much confidence. He
prescribed the wrong dose, that is all. Give you the
right dose and you’ll be back on the track. Make you
the secretary to some vulgar politician and you’ll wake
up. I’ll be happy to introduce you to one, at your
convenience, any time.
“You will do well to remember what I have said. You