“If I shall exist eternally, how shall I exist tomorrow?”
- 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
“If I shall exist eternally, how shall I exist tomorrow?”
Explanation
In this deeply existential and philosophical statement, Franz Kafka confronts the paradox of eternity and the temporal nature of existence. The quote raises the fundamental question of how the eternal and the momentary can coexist within the human experience. If one is to exist eternally, as the concept of immortality or transcendence might suggest, then what is the significance of tomorrow, the future, or even the next moment? Kafka’s phrasing suggests a disconnect between the notion of infinite existence and the fragility of human life, which is measured by the passage of time. It’s a question of identity, continuity, and the way in which time shapes our sense of self. The person who asks this question is grappling with the incoherence between the idea of eternal life and the lived experience of existence, where every day brings a new reality—a reality that is always in flux, always becoming rather than being.
Kafka often explores the tension between the finite and the infinite, the temporal and the eternal, in works like The Trial and The Castle. In these texts, characters are trapped in endless systems or processes that seem to defy the linear passage of time and the possibility of resolution. Kafka’s own reflections on existence were marked by a sense of futility and absurdity, in which the individual’s search for meaning or understanding is often thwarted by the overwhelming and impersonal forces of the world. In this light, the question “how shall I exist tomorrow?” is not just about mortality or the future, but about the continuity of self—the idea that, despite our longing for eternity, we are constantly changing, and our sense of who we are is tied to the fleeting moments that make up our lives.
Kafka’s inquiry into the eternal and the temporal resonates with modern existential concerns about identity and continuity in a world that is often fragmented and uncertain. In contemporary life, many people face the tension between long-term desires or beliefs about their place in the world and the immediacy of everyday existence. The question of how we exist tomorrow might symbolize the challenge of projecting our future selves when the pressures of the present moment are so overwhelming. Kafka’s words remind us that, while we might aspire to eternal significance or lasting meaning, we must first contend with the immediacy and transience of our daily lives, and with the fact that we are constantly being shaped by the passage of time—whether we understand it or not.
