Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka
Franz Kafkawas a German-language writer of novels and short stories who is widely regarded as one of the major figures of 20th-century literature. His work, which fuses elements of realism and the fantastic, typically features isolated protagonists faced by bizarre or surrealistic predicaments and incomprehensible social-bureaucratic powers, and has been interpreted as exploring themes of alienation, existential anxiety, guilt, and absurdity. His best known works include "Die Verwandlung", Der Process, and Das Schloss. The term Kafkaesque has entered the English...
ProfessionNovelist
Date of Birth3 July 1883
CityPrague, Czech Republic
In argument similes are like songs in love; they describe much, but prove nothing.
The fact that our task is exactly commensurate with our life gives it the appearance of being infinite.
It is only our conception of time that makes us call the Last Judgement by this name. It is, in fact, a kind of martial law.
Don't despair, not even over the fact that you don't despair.
One tells as few lies as possible only by telling as few lies as possible, and not by having the least possible opportunity to do so.
The spirit becomes free only when it ceases to be a support.
If it had been possible to build the Tower of Babel without climbing it, it would have been permitted.
Tyranny or slavery, born of selfishness, are the two educational methods of parents; all gradations of tyranny or slavery.
We all have wings, but they have not been of any avail to us and if we could tear them off, we would do so.
We are separated from God on two sides; the Fall separates us from Him, the Tree of Life separates Him from us.
Suffering is the positive element in this world, indeed it is the only link between this world and the positive.
My guiding principle is this: Guilt is never to be doubted.
Don Quixote's misfortune is not his imagination, but Sancho Panza.
Self-control means wanting to be effective at some random point in the infinite radiations of my spiritual existence.