"Even if you are restricted, you are not unhappy" — The true happiness taught by Alphonse's words

Introduction | Are you assuming someone is "pitiful"?

"But being restricted is not the same as being unhappy. I have no reason to be pitied!"

This is a famous quote by Alphonse Elric from Volume 12 of the manga "Fullmetal Alchemist."
Many of you were likely deeply moved when you read it.

In this article, I will use this quote as a theme to explore the difference between being "restricted" and being "unhappy."

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What kind of manga is it? | The world of "Fullmetal Alchemist"

"Fullmetal Alchemist" is a manga featuring two brothers, Edward and Alphonse, as the protagonists.
The two attempt forbidden human transmutation in an effort to bring back their deceased mother.

As the price for this,
the older brother, Edward, loses his right arm and left leg,
and the younger brother, Alphonse, loses his entire body, becoming a soul bound to a suit of armor.

The story is very heavy, but it is a work that constantly asks, "How should one live as a human?"

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The scene in Volume 12 | The dialogue with Scar

This famous quote appears during an exchange with Scar in Volume 12.
Scar is a character who hates and rejects alchemy.

He throws a question at Alphonse,
"Do you still believe in alchemy even after ending up with such an unhappy body?"
In other words,

"No body = unhappy"
"Therefore, you are a pitiful existence"
He is imposing these values on him.
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Alphonse's answer | A quiet and strong rejection

What Alphonse replies to that is,
"Being restricted is not the same as being unhappy."
Alphonse does not shout.

He does not get emotional.
He simply, quietly, and clearly rejects it.
"I have no reason to be pitied!"

In these words, one can feel a strong sense of self.
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The true meaning of these words | Happiness is not something others decide

The most important thing this quote teaches us is,
"Whether you are happy or not is something you decide for yourself."
Unhappy because you are physically restricted.

Unhappy because you failed.
Unhappy because you haven't achieved results.
Most of these thoughts are based on someone else's yardstick.

Alphonse firmly broke that yardstick.
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It is okay to have things you cannot do

This way of thinking is also very important for children.
Slow at running.
Not good at studying.
Cannot do the same things as everyone else.

Just because of that, people sometimes decide they are "pitiful."
But is that really true?

Even if there are things you cannot do,
if there are things you can laugh about, enjoy, or be passionate about,
that is not unhappiness.

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The time spent facing injuries

I myself have experienced injuries in wrestling.
There were times when my body wouldn't move the way I wanted it to.

From the perspective of those around me,
it might have been a situation where they would say,
"That looks tough,"
"You are pitiful."

But if asked whether that time was unhappy, it was not.
It was also a time to face my body, face my way of thinking,
and get to know myself deeply.

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The fear of the act of "pitying"

There is another important message in Alphonse's words.
That is the danger of "pitying someone without asking."

The person pitying might intend it as kindness.
But deciding things without listening to the other person's feelings
can also lead to taking the other person's life lightly.

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The reason one can look forward even when restricted

Even without a body, Alphonse
has friends, has a purpose, and has hope.

Even while restricted,
he continues to think about "how I want to live."
That is why he is not unhappy.

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Conclusion | Your happiness is your own

This famous quote gently teaches us,
"You don't have to compare yourself to others,"
"You don't have to define yourself through the eyes of others."
It is okay to have restrictions.

It is okay to take a detour.
There is no need to define that as unhappiness.
You are allowed to explain your life in your own words.

Thank you very much for reading until the end.

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