Collected Meditations
Showing 82 quotesMartyrs do not underrate the body, they allow it to be elevated on the cross. In this they are at one with their antagonists.— Franz Kafka
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.— Franz Kafka
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.— Franz Kafka
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.— Franz Kafka
The fact that our task is exactly commensurate with our life gives it the appearance of being infinite.— Franz Kafka
By imposing too great a responsibility, or rather, all responsibility, on yourself, you crush yourself.— Franz Kafka
It is not necessary that you leave the house. Remain at your table and listen. Do not even listen, only wait. Do not even wait, be wholly still and alone. The world will present itself to you for its unmasking, it can do no other, in ecstasy it will writhe at your feet.— Franz Kafka
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Alone
One tells as few lies as possible only by telling as few lies as possible, and not by having the least possible opportunity to do so.— Franz Kafka
Self-control means wanting to be effective at some random point in the infinite radiations of my spiritual existence.— Franz Kafka
Perhaps there is only one cardinal sin: impatience. Because of impatience we were driven out of Paradise, because of impatience we cannot return.— Franz Kafka
It is comforting to reflect that the disproportion of things in the world seems to be only arithmetical.— Franz Kafka