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About this quote

What does it mean?
Faith or belief can block direct experience of wonder, like daylight blocking stars.
In plain terms
If you believe too much, you cannot see the miracles around you.
What can you take from it?
Certainty can blind you to the mysterious.

Where it applies

  • spiritual quests
  • scientific inquiry
  • everyday wonder

Putting it to work

  • practicing skepticism
  • mindfulness
  • exploring nature

Questions to consider

  • What do you believe that blocks your view?
  • Can you see without believing?

Another view

Belief often provides comfort even if it limits perception.

More from Franz Kafka

  1. Anyone who believes cannot experience miracles. By day one does not see any stars. Anyone who does miracles says: I cannot let go of the earth.

    Permalink to quote #68
  2. Religions get lost as people do.

    Permalink to quote #70
  3. There was once a community of scoundrels, that is to say, they were not scoundrels, but ordinary people.

    Permalink to quote #67

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  1. Anyone who believes cannot experience miracles. By day one does not see any stars. Anyone who does miracles says: I cannot let go of the earth.

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  3. We probably seem to be anti-religious...none of us believes in God.

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