Some deny the existence of misery by pointing to the sun; he denies the existence of the sun by pointing to misery.
Franz KafkaRead
My 'fear' is my substance, and probably the best part of me.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Fear can be a powerful motivator and an integral part of one's identity.
In this quote, Kafka articulates the idea that fear is not merely a negative emotion but rather a significant component of his essence. He suggests that through confronting and understanding fear, it can become a source of strength and self-awareness, indicating that embracing our fears often leads to personal growth and deeper insights into ourselves.
Themes
FearSubstanceIdentityGrowthSelf-Awareness
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about overcoming obstacles, one might reference Kafka's quote to emphasize the importance of acknowledging fear.
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
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And I quoted from Nietzsche: That which does not kill me, makes me stronger.
Viktor E. FranklRead
And don't get hurt,' [Dexter] added. 'There's no one to help you up there. And don't go stirring up a lot of trouble for us. This case isn't ripe yet. Until it is, our policy with Mr Big is 'live and let live'.' Bond looked quizzically at Captain Dexter In my job,' he said, 'when I come up against a man like this one, I have another motto. It's 'live and let die'.
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I will not take 'but' for an answer. Negroes have been looking at democracy's 'but' too long.
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If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.
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It is the character of a brave and resolute man not to be ruffled by adversity and not to desert his post.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead