“Evil does not exist; once you have crossed the threshold, all is good. Once in another world, you must hold your tongue.”
Explore This Quote Further
Analysis of Quote by Franz Kafka
In this quote by Franz Kafka, he suggests that evil is not something that exists within itself, but rather is a matter of perspective. Once someone has entered a different world or perspective, everything is seen as good. The idea of holding one's tongue in another world could mean remaining silent or cautious in this new way of thinking in order to fully understand and navigate it. This quote appears to capture Kafka's unique and complex understanding of the nature of good and evil.
Finding Good in the Face of Evil
In today's world, the concept of evil can take on many forms, from physical acts of violence to systemic injustice. In Franz Kafka's quote, he suggests that once one has experienced a different world or perspective, the line between good and evil becomes blurred. This can be seen in our own lives, as we navigate complex moral dilemmas and challenging situations. It encourages us to consider the complexity of humanity and the importance of empathy and understanding.
Kafka's Views on Evil and Crossing the Threshold
"“Evil does not exist; once you have crossed the threshold, all is good. Once in another world, you must hold your tongue.” - Franz Kafka"
Reflection Questions
Reflecting on the quote from Franz Kafka, consider the following questions:
- What does it mean to say that "evil does not exist"?
- Do you agree or disagree with the idea that once you have crossed the threshold, all is good? Why or why not?
- How might one interpret the instruction to "hold your tongue" once in another world?
- How does this quote challenge or confirm your beliefs about good and evil?
Similar quotes
“there is nothing bad to fear; once you have crossed that threshold, all is well. Another world, and you do not have to speak”
“You can hold yourself back from the sufferings of the world, that is something you are free to do and it accords with your nature, but perhaps this very holding back is the one suffering you could avoid.”
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“Many complain that the words of the wise are always merely parables and of no use in daily life, which is the only life we have. When the sage says: "Go over," he does not mean that we should cross over to some actual place, which we could do anyhow if the labor were worth it; he means some fabulous yonder, something unknown to us, something too that he cannot designate more precisely, and therefore cannot help us here in the very least. All these parables really set out to say merely that the incomprehensible is incomprehensible, and we know that already. But the cares we have to struggle with every day: that is a different matter.Concerning this a man once said: Why such reluctance? If you only followed the parables you yourselves would become parables and with that rid yourself of all your daily cares.Another said: I bet that is also a parable.The first said: You have won.The second said: But unfortunately only in parable.The first said: No, in reality: in parable you have lost.”
“You see, I have only such a fugitive awareness of things around me that I always feel they were once real and are now fleeting away.”
“By believing passionately in something that still does not exist, we create it. The nonexistent is whatever we have not sufficiently desired.”