“You can hold yourself back from the sufferings of the world, that is something you are free to do and it accords with your nature, but perhaps this very holding back is the one suffering you could avoid.”
- July 3, 1883 – June 3, 1924
- Born in the Austro-Hungarian Empire
- Writer, lawyer
- Had a major influence on 20th century literature with works such as “The Metamorphosis,” “The Trial,” and “The Castle”
Quote
“You can hold yourself back from the sufferings of the world, that is something you are free to do and it accords with your nature, but perhaps this very holding back is the one suffering you could avoid.”
Explanation
In this quote, Franz Kafka explores the tension between self-preservation and engagement with the suffering of the world. He acknowledges that we have the freedom to distance ourselves from the pain and suffering around us, whether by withdrawing, detaching, or retreating into a more comfortable or self-protective existence. This withdrawal is natural, as humans often seek to avoid pain or discomfort. However, Kafka suggests that this avoidance itself might be a form of suffering—that the very act of holding oneself back from the world’s pain could be the one self-imposed suffering that is avoidable. In other words, while we often see engagement with suffering as the difficult choice, Kafka presents the paradox that isolation or detachment from the world’s struggles might be the more painful option in the long run, leading to a kind of existential emptiness or disconnection from the world.
Kafka’s works often depict characters who struggle with the choice between engagement and withdrawal. In The Trial, Josef K.’s futile attempts to escape the bureaucratic nightmare around him reveal the ways in which avoidance or denial only prolongs the suffering and isolation he faces. Similarly, in The Castle, the protagonist’s desire to find meaning and belonging within the castle’s walls becomes an allegory for the human condition—the struggle between engagement with an absurd world and the temptation to withdraw into a more manageable, yet ultimately disconnected, existence. Kafka’s suggestion here is that true freedom may lie not in avoiding suffering but in acknowledging and facing it, as this is the only way to truly engage with life’s complexities and find meaning.
In a modern context, Kafka’s quote resonates with the ways in which people today often try to shield themselves from the pain of the world. The prevalence of comfort-seeking behaviors, self-care practices, or technological distractions in the face of global suffering, inequality, and emotional hardship is a reflection of the temptation to detach. Yet, Kafka’s words point to a deeper truth: that in avoiding the world’s suffering, we might be sacrificing authentic connection and growth. This withdrawal can lead to alienation, where the avoidance of external suffering ironically results in internal suffering—a lack of purpose, disconnection from others, or a failure to find meaning in life. Kafka’s insight encourages a more balanced approach, where one does not simply avoid suffering, but engages with it mindfully and compassionately, understanding that humanity’s struggles are an intrinsic part of the experience of being human. It is through this engagement, rather than withdrawal, that one might avoid the greater suffering of living a life untouched by the world’s pains and joys.
