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About this quote

What does it mean?
One should not deceive anyone, including humanity or existence itself, even in the pursuit of success.
In plain terms
Do not cheat anyone, not even the world.
What can you take from it?
Maintain integrity in all actions, even when striving for victory.

Where it applies

  • ethical dilemmas
  • pursuit of success
  • moral decision-making

Putting it to work

  • practice honesty in negotiations
  • avoid deceptive practices in business

Questions to consider

  • Have you ever compromised integrity for a win?
  • What defines a fair victory?

Another view

Strict adherence may disadvantage one in competitive environments where others cheat.

More from Franz Kafka

  1. In the struggle between yourself and the world, second the world.

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  2. There is nothing besides a spiritual world; what we call the world of the senses is the Evil in the spiritual world, and what we call Evil is only the necessit…

    Permalink to quote #32

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

    Permalink to quote #29

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