The Wisdom Letter #208
3 quotes from Franz Kafka (1883–1924)
✹ For today’s Wisdom Letter, we have carefully curated three bite-sized quotes from the novelist and writer, Franz Kafka (1883–1924), each paired with a philosophical question meant to provoke deep reflection:
Quote № 01:
“People keep themselves at a tolerable height above an infernal abyss toward which they gravitate only by putting out all their strength and lovingly helping one another. They are tied together by ropes, and it's bad enough when the ropes around an individual loosen and he drops somewhat lower than the others into empty space; ghastly when the ropes break and he falls. That's why we should cling to the others.”
— Franz Kafka
~ Follow-up Question:
If some people inevitably slip lower or even fall entirely, to what extent are we responsible for holding onto them, and at what point—if ever—must we let go for our own survival?
Quote № 02:
“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
~ Follow-up Question:
If there is always a gap between thought, speech, and writing, can true self-expression ever be fully achieved, or is communication inherently a distortion of our inner reality?
Quote № 03:
“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.”
— Franz Kafka
~ Follow-up Question:
Does avoiding the suffering of the world ultimately lead to a deeper, more isolating form of suffering, and if so, is engagement with pain an essential part of a meaningful life?
✽ Thank you for reading today’s Wisdom Letter.
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Regarding Q. 2. Many years ago as part of my recovery I entered counseling. In trying to answer the counselor's questions I realized that language is a poor vehicle for expression of the human psyche. I finally said to him, "look if each part of my brain was represented by an instrument in a symphonic orchestra and each instrument was able to convey what was going on in different partsof my me, then maybe I could sort of answer your question: How are you feeling?" It was shortly after that I began studying eastern thought in earnest. I then understood that language is binary and the psyche is anything but.
With respect to question #3, there comes to mind there are at least two types of pain, physical and mental or emotional pain. The former, physical pain has been addressed by an athletic cliche, “no pain no gain.” The Marine Corps has also addressed physical pain as ,”Pain is weakness leaving the body.” If these make sense the answer to #3 is yes. Turning now to emotional pain, the answer seems more elusive. When walking down the street, someone encounters a homeless drug addicted begged. Is there not an initial pain response? For some if there is it is not evident , as they continue on their way. Others stop to share some money, advice or offer other assistance. For those who regularly do this or those who set out to find needy individuals, it seems there is no initial pain only an opportunity. However, this does not address the pain that I shall call resultant pain. This pain arises when the observer lacks the resources to provide meaningful assistance, or worse giving assistance means risking one’s own wellbeing. This is we’re #3 really becomes , in my view, reverent. Is the pain innately inevitable, or is is source societal expectations generated by religion, fairytales, or hero worship for those who lost their health or life in saving or attempting to save another! A go fund me account cannot replace a mother, father husband or wife,etc. So an attempt to alleviate pain actually generates more pain. Back in the 60a or 70s, there was a fairly often repeated cliche, “don’t try to lay your guilt trip on me.” I find it interesting that my thoughts on question #3 are also relevant to quotation #1.