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About this quote

What does it mean?
Kafka advises that in a conflict between self and world, the world will win so side with it.
In plain terms
The world is stronger than you so give in to it.
What can you take from it?
Resistance against the world is futile.

Where it applies

  • dealing with society
  • personal struggles
  • cynicism

Putting it to work

  • accept reality
  • avoid futile fights
  • adapt

Questions to consider

  • Should you fight the world?
  • Is resistance useful?

Another view

It promotes defeatism which can be harmful to mental health.

More from Franz Kafka

  1. The mediation by the serpent was necessary: Evil can seduce man, but cannot become man.

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  2. One must not cheat anyone, not even the world of its victory.

    Permalink to quote #31
  3. Man cannot live without a permanent trust in something indestructible in himself, though both the indestructible element and the trust may remain permanently h…

    Permalink to quote #28

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