The Trial Quotes
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Source: The Trial
Author: Franz Kafka
"Logic is no doubt unshakable, but it can't withstand a person who wants to live."
Were there pleas in his defense that had been forgotten? Of course there were. Logic is no doubt unshakable, but it can't withstand a person who wants to live. Where was the judge he's never seen? Where was the high court he'd never reached? He raised his hands and spread out all his fingers.
Context
This quote is from The Trial, written by Franz Kafka (1925).
This quote pops up at the very end of the book. Joseph K. has been charged with a crime—he just doesn't know what. He's spent the entire novel being told that he's in really serious trouble, but he's never had one single hearing or appeared in front of any judge. Now, two dudes have shown up at his apartment, taken him outside of town, and are planning to execute him.
So, at this moment, Joseph K. sees the writing on the wall. He's done for, but his brain still hasn't given up. There's still a chance that he could be cleared of any wrongdoing and go free. Sure, these guys are holding a really sharp knife, but anything could happen. Right? Right?
Technically, it could. A judge could walk up and tell those goons to let Joseph K. go. But, in the end, it doesn't work out that way. Our hero's will to live couldn't keep reality from crashing down on his head. Bummer.
Where you've heard it
If you're a fan of Kafka or weird Kafka-esque stuff, then you've definitely heard this quote bantered around a dinner party or two.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
Okay, this is Franz Kafka we're talking about here, so you're more likely to get puzzled looks when you break out his quotes than eye rolls. Be prepared to pass the butter if all you hear is stony silence when you drop this quote on your fellow partygoers.