excerpts from kafka's diary

A few quotes from the diary of Franz Kafka (Translated by Joseph Kresh):

16 March. (1912) Saturday. Again encouragement. Again I catch hold of myself, as one catches hold of a ball in it's fall. Tomorrow, today, I'll begin an extensive work which, without being forced, will shape itself according to my abilities. I will not give up as long as I can hold out at all. Rather be sleepless than live on in this way.

15 September. (1912)...The hollow which the work of genius has burned into our surroundings is a good place into which to put one's little light. Therefore the inspiration that emanates from genius, the universal inspiration that doesn't only drive one to imitation...

11 February. (1913)...because the story came out of me like a real birth, covered with filth and slime, and only I have the hand that can reach to the body itself and the strength of desire to do so...

21 June. (1913)...The tremulous world I have in my head. But how to free myself and free it without being torn to pieces. And a thousand times rather be torn to pieces than retain it in me or bury it. That, indeed, is why I am here, that is quite clear to me.

3 July. (1913)...When I say something it finally and immediately loses it's importance, when I write it down, it loses it too, but sometimes gains a new one...