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“I may face left, and you may face right.”
Natsume Soseki
Translated for this article from an excerpt of Soseki’s “私の個人主義.” This is not an official English translation. The surrounding passage discusses freedom for oneself and others, with a qualification concerning effects on others.
You recommend a film you loved. The other person was not impressed.
It is only a difference in taste. Yet it can feel as if they rejected a small part of you.
Soon, sharing your enjoyment becomes a presentation designed to change their mind.
Here is my own everyday reflection on Soseki’s words.
Agreement is not the only successful ending
It feels good when someone enjoys what we enjoy.
But a conversation can continue without matching conclusions.
“What didn’t work for you?”
“I hadn’t seen it that way.”
Ask to understand, rather than to win agreement.
Your enjoyment does not need endless defending
You can also say, “This is the part I love,” and leave it there.
Not demanding agreement does not mean withdrawing your own feelings.
There can be room for your enjoyment and their different response.
Respect still leaves room for boundaries
Respecting differences does not require accepting harmful behavior. Shared work needs agreements, and difficulties may need clear boundaries.
But a difference in taste does not always need a winner.
Next time opinions diverge, pause before persuading—or assuming you have been disliked.
You can face different directions and still remain in conversation.
Quotation and background source: Aozora Bunko: Natsume Soseki, “私の個人主義” (Japanese).
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