QuoteProject
Every one of us has a bad conscience, which he tries to escape by going to sleep as quickly as possible.
Franz Kafka
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects on human guilt and the desire to escape unpleasant feelings through sleep.

Franz Kafka's quote explores the concept of a 'bad conscience' that plagues individuals, suggesting that many people seek solace in sleep as a means of escaping their guilt or internal struggles. It highlights the psychological burden we carry and how we often turn to rest as a temporary refuge from our deeper issues.

Themes

GuiltConscienceSleepEscapeAnxiety

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about mental health, you might use this quote to emphasize the importance of addressing internal struggles rather than avoiding them.

More from Franz Kafka

Some deny the existence of misery by pointing to the sun; he denies the existence of the sun by pointing to misery.
Franz KafkaRead
One 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

A Christian who withdraws into himself, hiding all that the Lord has given him, is not a Christian! I would ask the many young people present to be generous with their God-given talents for the good of others, the Church and our world.
Pope FrancisRead
Society cares for the individual only so far as he is profitable.
Simone De BeauvoirRead
The difference between a Miracle and a Fact is exactly the difference between a mermaid and a seal.
Mark TwainRead
More than ever I find myself in the hands of God. This (illness) is what I have wanted all my life from my youth. But now there is a difference; the initiative is entirely with God. It is indeed a profound spiritual experience to know and feel myself so totally in God’s hands.
Pedro ArrupeRead
He, however, who begins with Metaphysics, will not only become confused in matters of religion, but will fall into complete infidelity.
MaimonidesRead
Spirituality is meant to take us beyond our tribal identity into a domain of awareness that is more universal.
Deepak ChopraRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.