“There are only two things. Truth and lies. Truth is indivisible, hence it cannot recognize itself; anyone who wants to recognize it has to be a lie.”
- 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
“There are only two things. Truth and lies. Truth is indivisible, hence it cannot recognize itself; anyone who wants to recognize it has to be a lie.”
Explanation
In this provocative statement, Franz Kafka delves into the paradoxical nature of truth and deception. Kafka asserts that there are only two fundamental categories in existence: truth and lies. However, his description of truth as indivisible implies that it is something absolute, a singular essence that cannot be grasped or understood by itself. The statement that “truth cannot recognize itself” reflects the idea that truth, in its purity, is beyond human comprehension or articulation—it is too vast, too complete to be reflected back upon itself. In this sense, the quest for truth is intrinsically flawed because it requires a subject (a person, a perspective) to recognize or define it, and any such attempt to do so, Kafka suggests, is by nature a distortion—a lie.
Kafka’s insight connects deeply with his philosophical and literary themes of alienation, confusion, and the absurdity of knowledge. In works like The Trial and The Castle, Kafka explores systems and bureaucracies that are incomprehensible, where truth is hidden behind layers of complexity and ambiguity, and where characters can never fully understand or access the truth they are searching for. In this context, the search for truth becomes an act of deception—not because individuals deliberately lie, but because any attempt to comprehend the truth distorts it. Kafka suggests that the pursuit of truth is itself an exercise in futility, because the human mind is incapable of fully grasping or recognizing the indivisible nature of truth.
In a contemporary context, Kafka’s exploration of truth and lies resonates with the complexities of modern life, particularly in an age of information overload and disinformation. In today’s world, truth can be elusive, and the distinction between truth and lies becomes increasingly blurred. Whether it’s in the realm of media, politics, or personal relationships, we often encounter competing narratives that challenge our understanding of what is true and what is false. Kafka’s assertion that truth is indivisible and that we must approach it through lies or distortions may reflect the relativity of truth in a postmodern world, where different perspectives and interpretations often conflict. Kafka invites us to reflect on how we approach the search for truth in our own lives: Are we capable of truly recognizing it, or are we simply navigating a landscape where all knowledge is mediated, distorted, or ultimately unknowable?
