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About this quote

What does it mean?
Martyrs respect the body enough to sacrifice it, aligning ironically with those who kill them. Both value the body's role in death.
In plain terms
Martyrs and their enemies agree on the importance of the body in death.
What can you take from it?
Shared values can exist even between enemies.

Where it applies

  • religious persecution
  • political resistance
  • ethical debates

Putting it to work

  • recognize common ground
  • question motives
  • respect sacrifice

Questions to consider

  • Can enemies share a common value?
  • What does sacrifice say about belief?

Another view

This view might romanticize suffering without addressing the harm.

More from Franz Kafka

  1. Self-control is something for which I do not strive. Self-control means wanting to be effective at some random point in the infinite radiations of my spiritual…

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  2. His weariness is that of the gladiator after the combat; his work was the whitewashing of a corner in a state official's office.

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  3. In a certain sense the Good is comfortless.

    Permalink to quote #20

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