Some deny the existence of misery by pointing to the sun; he denies the existence of the sun by pointing to misery.
Franz KafkaRead
Alas," said the mouse, "the whole world is growing smaller every day. At the beginning it was so big that I was afraid, I kept running and running, and I was glad when I saw walls far away to the right and left, but these long walls have narrowed so quickly that I am in the last chamber already, and there in the corner stands the trap that I must run into." "You only need to change your direction," said the cat, and ate it up.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote illustrates the idea of feeling trapped by circumstances and the need for a change in perspective to escape danger.
In this quote by Franz Kafka, the mouse represents an individual who feels increasingly confined by the limitations of their environment, which once seemed vast and filled with possibilities. The cat's suggestion to change direction symbolizes the need for a shift in mindset or approach, highlighting how a change in perspective can often be the key to overcoming perceived obstacles, even while acknowledging the harsh realities of life.
Themes
ChangePerspectiveObstaclesTrappedMindset
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about overcoming challenges, this quote can illustrate the importance of changing one's perspective.
More from Franz Kafka
All quotes →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.
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Association with human beings lures one into self-observation.
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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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