In front of the law there is a doorkeeper. A man from the…
““In front of the law there is a doorkeeper. A man from the countryside comes up to the door and asks for entry. But the doorkeeper says he can't let him in to the law right now. The man thinks about this, and then he asks if he'll be able to go in later on. "That's possible," says the doorkeeper, "but not now". The gateway to the law is open as it always is, and the doorkeeper has stepped to one side, so the man bends over to try and see in. When the doorkeeper notices this he laughs and says, "If you're tempted give it a try, try and go in even though I say you can't. Careful though: I'm powerful. And I'm only the lowliest of all the doormen. But there’s a doorkeeper for each of the rooms and each of them is more powerful than the last. It's more than I can stand just to look at the third one.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The law is guarded by successive, increasingly powerful gatekeepers; immediate access is denied, yet future entry may be possible.
In simple terms: Law has many layers of control.
Key Takeaway
Understand that obstacles may shift over time.
Themes
law
patience
authority
Mood
cautious
determined
Type
advice
motivational
When to use this quote
- legal negotiations
- career advancement
- bureaucratic processes
- personal goals
Key Concepts
gatekeeping
hierarchy
access
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What gatekeepers stand before your goals?
- How can you prepare for higher challenges?
A Different Perspective
Each gatekeeper’s power varies; timing and strategy matter.