Advice Quote by Franz Kafka
“I don't know who the great lawyers are, and I presume you can't get to them. I know of no case where it can be said for certain that they took part. They defend some people, but you can't get them to do that through your own efforts, they only defend the ones they want to defend. But I assume a case they take on must have progressed beyond the lower court. It's better not to think of them at all, otherwise you'll find the consultations with the other lawyers, their advice and their assistance, extremely disgusting and useless.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Trial, Franz Kafka, 1925
The speaker doubts the reliability and accessibility of elite lawyers, seeing them as selective and often unhelpful.
In simple terms: Great lawyers seem unreliable and hard to reach.
Key Takeaway
Avoid relying on elite lawyers for help.
Themes
skepticism
law
trust
elitism
Mood
cynical
reflective
Type
cautionary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- seeking legal aid
- court proceedings
- client‑lawyer relationships
Key Concepts
legal ethics
access to justice
professional discretion
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess a lawyer’s true value?
- When is it worth seeking top counsel?
A Different Perspective
Even elite lawyers may be indispensable in complex cases.
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