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About this quote

What does it mean?
Interacting with others forces us to reflect on our own behavior and identity.
In plain terms
Being with people makes you watch yourself.
What can you take from it?
Use social interaction to learn about yourself.

Where it applies

  • group settings
  • conflict resolution
  • personal growth

Putting it to work

  • observe reactions in groups
  • use feedback for self-improvement

Questions to consider

  • What do you see when others watch you?
  • How does company change your behavior?

Another view

It assumes everyone wants to observe themselves.

More from Franz Kafka

  1. Test yourself on mankind. It is something that makes the doubter doubt, the believer believe.

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  2. Sensual love deceives one as to the nature of heavenly love; it could not do so alone, but since it unconsciously has the element of heavenly love within it, i…

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  3. If what was supposed to have been destroyed in Paradise was destructible, then it was not decisive; but if it was indestructible, then we are living in a false…

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