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100 Inspirational Quotes By Franz Kafka That Will Make You Smile Despite All The Hurdles Of Life

Famous As: Novelist and Short-Story Writer, Widely Regarded as One of the Major Figures of 20th-Century Literature
Born On: July 3, 1883
Died On: June 3, 1924
Born In: Prague, Czech Republic
Died At Age: 40
German author Franz Kafka was one of the most significant authors in the 20th century and is still counted among the greatest authors to have graced the world of literature. Kafka studied to become a lawyer and later on found work with an insurance company; however he devoted most of his spare time to his writing pursuits. In a literary career that lasted only around 12 years, due to his death at the age of 40, Kafka produced a staggering body of work that included classics like ‘The Metamorphosis’, ‘The Castle’ and ‘The Trial’. Most of his novels and short stories were rooted in themes akin to existentialism and surrealism; as a result of which ‘Kafkaesque’ is a word that is now a part of the English dictionary that describes real life situtations that are similar to situations in his stories. Kafka was also a fine thinker as is demonstrated in his rich body of work and has produced a treasure trove of quotes that can be identified with almost any aspect of life. Among the pearls of wisdom that Kafka has produced over his literary career, here are some of the select quotes that would surely give you a new perspective on life. 
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Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.

Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.

Franz Kafka
A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us.

A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us.

Franz Kafka
I am a cage, in search of a bird.

I am a cage, in search of a bird.

Franz Kafka
Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.

Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.

Franz Kafka
Don't bend; don't water it down; don't try to make it logical; don't edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.

Don't bend; don't water it down; don't try to make it logical; don't edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.

Franz Kafka
I write differently from what I speak, I speak differently from what I think, I think differently from the way I ought to think, and so it all proceeds into deepest darkness.

I write differently from what I speak, I speak differently from what I think, I think differently from the way I ought to think, and so it all proceeds into deepest darkness.

Franz Kafka
I am free and that is why I am lost.

I am free and that is why I am lost.

Franz Kafka
A First Sign of the Beginning of Understanding is the Wish to Die.

A First Sign of the Beginning of Understanding is the Wish to Die.

Franz Kafka
I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself.

I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself.

Franz Kafka
The meaning of life is that it stops.

The meaning of life is that it stops.

Franz Kafka
All language is but a poor translation.

All language is but a poor translation.

Franz Kafka
A non-writing writer is a monster courting insanity.

A non-writing writer is a monster courting insanity." [Letter to Max Brod, July 5, 1922]

Franz Kafka
I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound and stab us.

I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound and stab us.

Franz Kafka
Books are a narcotic.

Books are a narcotic.

Franz Kafka
Slept, awoke, slept, awoke, miserable life.

Slept, awoke, slept, awoke, miserable life.

Franz Kafka
Paths are made by walking

Paths are made by walking

Franz Kafka
By believing passionately in something that still does not exist, we create it. The nonexistent is whatever we have not sufficiently desired.

By believing passionately in something that still does not exist, we create it. The nonexistent is whatever we have not sufficiently desired.

Franz Kafka
I have the true feeling of myself only when I am unbearably unhappy.

I have the true feeling of myself only when I am unbearably unhappy.

Franz Kafka
Writing is utter solitude, the descent into the cold abyss of oneself.

Writing is utter solitude, the descent into the cold abyss of oneself.

Franz Kafka
Now I can look at you in peace; I don't eat you any more.

Now I can look at you in peace; I don't eat you any more.

Franz Kafka
There is an infinite amount of hope in the universe ... but not for us.

There is an infinite amount of hope in the universe ... but not for us.

Franz Kafka
I am in chains. Don't touch my chains.

I am in chains. Don't touch my chains.

Franz Kafka
It's only because of their stupidity that they're able to be so sure of themselves.

It's only because of their stupidity that they're able to be so sure of themselves.

Franz Kafka
Love is, that you are the knife which I plunge into myself.

Love is, that you are the knife which I plunge into myself.

Franz Kafka
Better to have, and not need, than to need, and not have.

Better to have, and not need, than to need, and not have.

Franz Kafka
I do not speak as I think, I do not think as I should, and so it all goes on in helpless darkness.

I do not speak as I think, I do not think as I should, and so it all goes on in helpless darkness.

Franz Kafka
They say ignorance is bliss.... they're wrong

They say ignorance is bliss.... they're wrong

Franz Kafka
I usually solve problems by letting them devour me.

I usually solve problems by letting them devour me.

Franz Kafka
As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.

As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.

Franz Kafka
In man's struggle against the world, bet on the world.

In man's struggle against the world, bet on the world.

Franz Kafka