Some deny the existence of misery by pointing to the sun; he denies the existence of the sun by pointing to misery.
Franz KafkaRead
If it had been possible to build the Tower of Babel without climbing it, it would have been permitted.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the challenges and necessity of effort in achieving great things.
Franz Kafka's quote suggests that the achievement of monumental tasks often requires a struggle and a journey, akin to climbing the Tower of Babel. It implies that if success could be achieved without effort or facing challenges, it would have been encouraged; however, the reality is that true accomplishments are often fraught with difficulties and require perseverance.
Themes
EffortAchievementStruggleTower Of BabelJourney
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a motivational workshop to emphasize the importance of hard work.
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
Similar quotes
The true test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of cities, nor the crops - no, but the kind of man the country turns out.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead
How can the mind take hold of such a country? Generations of invaders have tried, but they remain in exile. The important towns they build are only retreats, their quarrels the malaise of men who cannot find their way home. India knows of their trouble. She knows of the whole world's trouble, to its uttermost depth. She calls "Come" through her hundred mouths, through objects ridiculous and august. But come to what? She has never defined. She is not a promise, only an appeal.
E. M. ForsterRead
Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you.
Saint AugustineRead
Is there not some chosen curse, some hidden thunder in the stores of heaven, red with uncommon wrath, to blast the man who owes his greatness to his country's ruin!
Joseph AddisonRead
We are still masters of our fate. We are still captains of our souls.
Winston ChurchillRead
Extremes in nature equal ends produce; In man they join to some mysterious use.
Alexander PopeRead