The only real flesh was the flesh that existed in his imagination. Since, therefore, he regarded the flesh as an ideal abstraction, rather than as a physical fact, he had relied on his spiritual strength to subjugate it.

Yukio Mishima
About This Quote

In the novel "Pride and Prejudice", Mr. Darcy states that “the only real flesh was the flesh that existed in his imagination.” In this way, he admits to treating the physical as a mere idea. This connection is made clear when he goes on to say, “Since, therefore, he regarded the flesh as an ideal abstraction, rather than as a physical fact, he had relied on his spiritual strength to subjugate it.” This connection is not made by one who believes in a physical universe. When you believe in a spiritual world, you don’t actually think that flesh exists.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t believe in a spiritual world because it would be wrong to deny God by believing in a physical world. However, it would be wrong to say that flesh exists when you do not believe in a physical world.

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