Family Quote by Franz Kafka
““Gregor’s serious wound, from which he suffered for over a month - the apple remained imbedded in his flesh as a visible souvenir since no one dared to remove it - seemed to have reminded even his father that Gregor was a member of the family, in spite of his present pathetic and repulsive shape, who could not be treated as an enemy; that, on the contrary, it was the commandment of the family duty to swallow their disgust and endure him, endure him and nothing more.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka, 1915
Family must accept and endure a loved one despite grotesque changes, suppressing disgust.
In simple terms: Family duty demands tolerance of even repulsive transformations.
Key Takeaway
Practice unconditional familial support.
Themes
family
duty
acceptance
Mood
somber
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- caregiving
- family crisis
- social stigma
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
existential alienation
human dignity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance compassion with self-preservation?
- When is it appropriate to set boundaries with family?
A Different Perspective
Accepting without limits can enable abuse or self-sacrifice.
![“The tremendous world I have inside my head. But how [to] free myself and free it without being torn to pieces. And a thousand times [I'd] rather be torn to pieces than rather it in me or bury it. That, indeed, is why I am here, that is quite clear to me.” quote by Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f19/franz-kafka-214_freedom_the-tremendous-world-i-have-inside-my-he_5848.jpg)
