This perversion of the truth, familiar to the artist though it was, always unnerved him afresh and proved too much for him. What was a consequence of the premature ending of his fast was here presented as the cause of it! To fight against this lack of understanding, against a whole world of nonunderstanding, was impossible.
Franz KafkaMarrying, founding a family, accepting all the children that come, supporting them in this insecure world, and perhaps even guiding them a little, is, I am convinced, the utmost a human being can succeed in doing at all.
Franz KafkaMay I kiss you then? On this miserable paper? I might as well open the window and kiss the night air.
Franz KafkaThis perversion of the truth, familiar to the artist though it was, always unnerved him afresh and proved too much for him. What was a consequence of the premature ending of his fast was here presented as the cause of it! To fight against this lack of understanding, against a whole world of nonunderstanding, was impossible.
Franz KafkaWriting sustains me. But wouldnโt it be better to say it sustains this kind of life? Which doesn't mean life is any better when I donโt write. On the contrary, it is far worse, wholly unbearable, and inevitably ends in madness. This is, of course, only on the assumption that I am a writer even when I donโt write - which is indeed the case; and a non-writing writer is, in fact, a monster courting insanity.
Franz Kafka