Quotes by Franz Kafka (Page 2 of 2)

Believing in progress does not mean believing that any progress has yet been made.

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

Youth is happy because it has the ability to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.

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

My 'fear' is my substance, and probably the best part of me.

I do not read advertisements. I would spend all of my time wanting things.

By believing passionately in something that still does not exist, we create it. The nonexistent is whatever we have not sufficiently desired.

Don't despair, not even over the fact that you don't despair.

A man of action forced into a state of thought is unhappy until he can get out of it.

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

One advantage in keeping a diary is that you become aware with reassuring clarity of the changes which you constantly suffer.

In theory there is a possibility of perfect happiness: To believe in the indestructible element within one, and not to strive towards it.

In the fight between you and the world, back the world.

In argument similes are like songs in love; they describe much, but prove nothing.

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

We are sinful not only because we have eaten of the Tree of Knowledge, but also because we have not yet eaten of the Tree of Life. The state in which we are is sinful, irrespective of guilt.

My peers, lately, have found companionship through means of intoxication -- it makes them sociable. I, however, cannot force myself to use drugs to cheat on my loneliness -- it is all that I have -- and when the drugs and alcohol dissipate, will be all that my peers have as well.

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.

Sensual love deceives one as to the nature of heavenly love; it could not do so alone, but since it unconsciously has the element of heavenly love within it, it can do so.

God gives the nuts, but he does not crack them.