FRANZ KAFKA

The indestructible is one: it is each individual human being and, at the same time, it is common to all, hence the incomparably indivisible union that exists between human beings.

We are separated from God on two sides; the Fall separates us from Him, the Tree of Life separates Him from us.

I have the true feeling of myself only when I am unbearably unhappy.

It is only our conception of time that makes us call the Last Judgement by this name. It is, in fact, a kind of martial law.

It is comforting to reflect that the disproportion of things in the world seems to be only arithmetical.

The Bible is a sanctum; the world, sputum.

In the struggle between yourself and the world second the world.

Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.

Writers speak stench.

Every revolution evaporates and leaves behind only the slime of a new bureaucracy.

Martyrs do not underrate the body, they allow it to be elevated on the cross. In this they are at one with their antagonists.

A book must be the ax for the frozen sea within us.

One must not cheat anyone, not even the world of its victory.

The thornbush is the old obstacle in the road. It must catch fire if you want to go further.

Evil is whatever distracts.

By imposing too great a responsibility, or rather, all responsibility, on yourself, you crush yourself.

You can hold yourself back from the sufferings of the world, that is something you are free to do and it accords with your nature, but perhaps this very holding back is the one suffering you could avoid.

If I shall exist eternally, how shall I exist tomorrow?

Hesitation before birth. If there is a transmigration of souls then I am not yet on the bottom rung. My life is a hesitation before birth.

The mediation by the serpent was necessary. Evil can seduce man, but cannot become man.

The relationship to one's fellow man is the relationship of prayer, the relationship to oneself is the relationship of striving; it is from prayer that one draws the strength for one's striving.

From a certain point onward there is no longer any turning back. That is the point that must be reached.

We all have wings, but they have not been of any avail to us and if we could tear them off, we would do so.

Atlas was permitted the opinion that he was at liberty, if he wished, to drop the Earth and creep away; but this opinion was all that he was permitted.

Not everyone can see the truth, but he can be it.