928 Quotes by Franz Kafka

Usted no pertenece al castillo, no es del pueblo, usted es un don nadie

I see, these books are probably law books, and it is an essential part of the justice dispensed here that you should be condemned not only in innocence but also in ignorance.

Ce n’est pas à l’ampleur du travail que celle du cas se mesure, si vous avez de telles idées vous êtes encore bien loin de comprendre l’administration.

An und für sich ist uns das Lachen immer nah; trotz allem Jammer unseres Lebens ist ein leises Lachen bei uns gewissermaßen immer zu Hause.

The longer one hesitates before the door, the more estranged one becomes.

I asked myself at the time: how is it that she is not astonished at herself, that she keeps her mouth closed, and expresses nothing of any wonderment?

DEAR NEPHEW,   As you will already have realized during our much too brief companionship, I am essentially a man of principle. That is unpleasant and depressing not only to those who come in contact with me, but also to myself as well. Yet it is my principles that have made me what I am, and no one can ask me to deny my fundamental self. Not even you, my dear nephew.

The chains that cuff humanity are made of office paper

A non-writing writer is a monster courting insanity.