The Human Condition I: No Greater Love (I) (1959)

Sô Yamamura: Okishima

Quotes 

• Okishima : [in parting words to Kaji]  I'm boarding this run-down truck, but you're trying to catch the train of humanism before it's too late. I won't stop you. You seem willing to pay the fare, no matter how high.

• Kaji : So... I won't be seeing you again? I learned so much from you.

  Okishima : No, it's me who learned from you. Though you've paid a bitter price, you finally caught the humanism train.

• Okishima : Where you been hidin'?

  Kaji : What's wrong with you? Drunk, I see.

  Okishima : Think I got drunk and came to make trouble? I had a drink with the boss, but I'm not drunk.

  Okishima : [they enter Kaji's house and Okishima lays on the floor]  I have some hot news. They're issuing commendations for the increased production. Okazaki will surely be included. I told the boss you were the only one in Labor who deserved a commendation... The boss felt the same way, but he feared that this old-timer might feel slighted... You don't think I'd feel slighted, do you?

  Kaji : Why have you suddenly turned to brute force?

  Okishima : [snickering]  The boss asked the same thing. I was born a brute... Good enough?

  [Kaji shifts in contemplation] 

  Okishima : How long do you plan to keep on like this?

  Kaji : Meaning what?

  Okishima : Straddling a fundamental contradiction and trying to justify it... I'm out of breath. If I'm being a nuisance, just say so and I'll back off.

• Okishima : Sons of bitches left too peacefully. They must be up to something.

• Okishima : Any more threats and I'll kick your nuts in!

• Okishima : Filthy bastard!

• Okishima : Don't let them eat all of a sudden! Stop them! If you gorge yourselves now, you'll die!

• Okishima : Sir, will you see that this never happens again? How should we report it?

  Kuroki Shochô : As an accidental death. Say he fell off a ledge. It does happen, you know.

• Okishima : I read your report on the supervision of colonial labor. Lots of fancy words.

• Okishima : You fool! Why play the hero? Fight so hard and you'll just run out of steam. You're a fool to ruin your future with his.

• Okishima : The men here are plain speakers. You'll be fundamentally incompatible.

  Kaji : Thanks for the advice.

  Okishima : What's so funny?

  Kaji : Sorry, but your own fancy words sound out of place.

• Okishima : I give you all warning. I know you all want to escape. But you cannot. If you even try... you'll meet the same fate as this dog.

• Okishima : Anyway, it's very well-written. Touches the core of the matter. Touches... but doesn't quite grasp it.

  Kaji : Why?

  Okishima : If I knew, I'd write it myself.

• Okishima : You refused to trust us. The result is charred human flesh. Serves you right!

• Okishima : As far as you men are concerned, I am your friendliest enemy.