Franz Kafka

I am a man who is always trying to believe, but I never can.

I am a man who is always trying to hope, but I never do.

I am a man who is always trying to love, but I never can.

I am a man who is always trying to be loved, but I never am.

I am a man who is always trying to be understood, but I never am.

I am a man who is always trying to communicate, but I never can.

I am a man who is always trying to express himself, but I never can.

I am a man who is always trying to write, but I never can.

I am a man who is always trying to create, but I never can.

I am a man who is always trying to be an artist, but I never can.

I am a man who is always trying to be a human being, but I never can.

I am a man who is always trying to be alive, but I am always dead.

I am a man who is always trying to be happy, but I am always sad.

I am a man who is always trying to be strong, but I am always weak.

I am a man who is always trying to be brave, but I am always afraid.

Don't bend; don't break. Don't back down. Don't give up.

So long as you have not experienced this: to die and so to grow, you are but a troubled guest on the dark earth.

Sleep is the most innocent creature and the most unfortunate. The innocent creature that is not allowed to show itself, and the unfortunate one that is not allowed to be.

The man who does not understand that his life is a continuous struggle against himself is lost.

The more you are, the more you have.