Some deny the existence of misery by pointing to the sun; he denies the existence of the sun by pointing to misery.
Only our concept of time makes it possible for us to speak of the Day of Judgment by that name in reality it is a summary court in perpetual session.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the nature of time and judgment, suggesting that our understanding of time influences how we perceive concepts like judgment and morality.
Franz Kafka's quote emphasizes the intricate relationship between our perception of time and the concept of judgment. He suggests that the 'Day of Judgment' is not a singular event in a distant future but rather an ongoing process, indicating that moral evaluations and consequences are constantly unfolding in our lives. This perspective challenges traditional views of time and accountability, highlighting the importance of present actions in shaping our moral standing.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on moral responsibility in a philosophy class.
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.
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.
Association with human beings lures one into self-observation.
A non-writing writer is a monster courting insanity.
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.
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We may now have reached a point where this gap in our make-up has become unsustainable; partly because what in the past would have counted as material plenty has become the norm for the majority in much of the world; and partly because the slow retreat of religion that coincided with the spread of a capitalist economy has left a gaping hole in millions of people's lives. (Geoff Mulgan)
Your life is an expression of all your thoughts.
Really high-minded people are indifferent to happiness, especially other people's.
When you're...stepping over a guy on the sidewalk...does it ever occur to you to think, 'Wow. Maybe our system doesn't work?'
Cyprian was not issuing a new decree but was keeping to the most solid belief of the Church in order to correct some who thought that infants ought not be baptized before the eighth day after their birth. . . . He agreed with certain of his fellow bishops that a child is able to be duly baptized as soon as he is born.
Indeed, there is no such thing as an altogether ugly woman β or altogether beautiful.