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.
Similar quotes
There is only the moment. The now. Only what you are experiencing at this second is real.
In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.
All, all are gone, the old familiar faces.
Christmas renews our youth by stirring our wonder. The capacity for wonder has been called our most pregnant human faculty, for in it are born our art, our science, our religion.
It is this mythical, or rather symbolic, content of the religious traditions which is likely to come into conflict with science. This occurs whenever this religious stock of ideas contains dogmatically fixed statements on subjects which belong in the domain of science.
The judge placed his hands on the ground. He looked at his inquisitor. This is my claim, he said. And yet everywhere upon it are pockets of autonomous life. Autonomous. In order for it to be mine nothing must be permitted to occur upon it save by my dispensation.