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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 necessity of a moment in our eternal evolution. One can disintegrate the world by means of very strong light. For weak eyes the world becomes solid, for still weaker eyes it seems to develop fists, for eyes weaker still it becomes shamefaced and smashes anyone who dares to gaze upon it.

Franz Kafka#32

SpiritualityPerceptionEvilMetaphysics

About this quote

What does it mean?
The sensory world is evil in the spiritual world; evil is just a moment of evolution. Strong light disintegrates the world.
In plain terms
The physical world seems evil until you see it clearly.
What can you take from it?
Seek clarity to dissolve the physical world.

Where it applies

  • mystical experience
  • philosophy
  • religious study

Putting it to work

  • seek clarity
  • question reality

Questions to consider

  • Is the world evil or real?
  • What is your light?

Another view

The physical world has value for many.

More from Franz Kafka

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

    Permalink to quote #31
  2. There are questions we could not get past if we were not set free from them by our very nature.

    Permalink to quote #33
  3. In the struggle between yourself and the world, second the world.

    Permalink to quote #30

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