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

Quote by Franz Kafka

Topics: Franz Kafka Quotes

The history of mankind is the instant between two strides taken by a traveler.

The history of mankind is the instant between two strides taken by a traveler.

How pathetically scanty my self-knowledge is compared with, say, my knowledge of my room. There...

How pathetically scanty my self-knowledge is compared with, say, my knowledge of my room. There...

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

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

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

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

This inescapable duty to observe oneself: if someone else is observing me, naturally I have...

This inescapable duty to observe oneself: if someone else is observing me, naturally I have...

It is not necessary that you leave the house. Remain at your table and listen....

It is not necessary that you leave the house. Remain at your table and listen....

A book should serve as the ax for the frozen sea within us.

A book should serve as the ax for the frozen sea within us.

Always first draw fresh breath after outbursts of vanity and complacency.

Always first draw fresh breath after outbursts of vanity and complacency.

Let me remind you of the old maxim: people under suspicion are better moving than...

Let me remind you of the old maxim: people under suspicion are better moving than...

Suffering is the positive element in this world, indeed it is the only link between...

Suffering is the positive element in this world, indeed it is the only link between...

From a certain point onward there is no longer any turning back. That is the...

From a certain point onward there is no longer any turning back. That is the...

A first sign of the beginning of understanding is the wish to die.

A first sign of the beginning of understanding is the wish to die.

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

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

It is often safer to be in chains than to be free.

It is often safer to be in chains than to be free.

The relationship to one's fellow man is the relationship of prayer, the relationship to oneself...

The relationship to one's fellow man is the relationship of prayer, the relationship to oneself...

Idleness is the beginning of all vice, the crown of all virtues.

Idleness is the beginning of all vice, the crown of all virtues.

My guiding principle is this: Guilt is never to be doubted.

My guiding principle is this: Guilt is never to be doubted.

Writing is a sweet, wonderful reward

Writing is a sweet, wonderful reward

The liberty of speaking and writing guards our other liberties.

The liberty of speaking and writing guards our other liberties.

Writing is manual labor of the mind: a job, like laying pipe.

Writing is manual labor of the mind: a job, like laying pipe.