Some deny the existence of misery by pointing to the sun; he denies the existence of the sun by pointing to misery.
Franz KafkaRead
In argument similes are like songs in love; they describe much, but prove nothing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Similes in arguments, like songs in love, may convey emotions but do not provide concrete proof.
This quote highlights the idea that while similes can enhance communication and illustrate feelings, they ultimately do not constitute evidence in an argument. Just as songs evoke emotions in love without serving as proof of love itself, similes may embellish arguments but lack the foundational substance needed to validate a claim.
Themes
ArgumentSimilesLoveProofCommunication
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker might use this quote during a debate to remind participants that emotional appeals alone are insufficient.
More from Franz Kafka
All quotes βOne can disintegrate the world by means of very strong light. For weak eyes the world becomes solid, for still weaker eyes it seems to develop fists, for eyes weaker still it becomes shamefaced and smashes anyone who dares to gaze upon it.
Franz KafkaRead
But Gregor understood easily that it was not only consideration for him which prevented their moving, for he could easily have been transported in a suitable crate with a few air holes; what mainly prevented the family from moving was their complete hopelessness and the thought that they had been struck by a misfortune as none of their relatives and acquaintances had ever been hit.
Franz KafkaRead
Association with human beings lures one into self-observation.
Franz KafkaRead
A non-writing writer is a monster courting insanity.
Franz KafkaRead
The ulterior motives with which you absorb and assimilate Evil are not your own but those of Evil. _x000D_ The animal wrests the whip from its master and whips itself in order to become master, not knowing that this is only a fantasy produced by a new knot in the master's whiplash.
Franz KafkaRead
Similar quotes
He who imitates what is evil always goes beyond the example that is set; on the contrary, he who imitates what is good always falls short.
Francesco GuicciardiniRead
The Divine Truth is greater than any religion or creed or scripture or idea or philosophy.
Sri AurobindoRead
Cast a cold eye on life, on death Horseman pass by
William Butler YeatsRead
People are looking for something a little more stable; people are feeling like they need to get closer to God.
Dolly PartonRead
One man pins me to the wall, while with another I walk among the stars
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead
With the aurora borealis flaming coldly overhead, or the stars leaping in the frost dance, and the land numb and frozen under its pall of snow, this song of the huskies might have been the defiance of life, only it was pitched in minor key, with long-drawn wailings and half-sobs, and was more the pleading of life, the articulate travail of existence. It was an old song, old as the breed itself--one of the first songs of the younger world in a day when songs were sad.
Jack LondonRead