This question of yours, Sir, about my being a house painter — or rather, not a question, you simply made a statement — is typical of the whole character of this trial that is being foisted on me. You may object that it is not a trial at all; you are quite right, for it is only a trial if I recognize it as such. But for the moment I do recognize it, on grounds of compassion, as it were. One can't regard it except with compassion, if one is to regard it at all. I do not say that your procedure is contemptible, but I should like to present that epithet to you for your private consumption.


Josef K. in Ch. 2 - The Trial (1920)

Franz Kafka Quotes

This question of yours, Sir, about my being a house painter — or rather, not a question, you simply made a statement — is typical of the whole...

This question of yours, Sir, about my being a house painter — or rather, not a question, you simply made a statement — is typical of the whole...

This question of yours, Sir, about my being a house painter — or rather, not a question, you simply made a statement — is typical of the whole...

This question of yours, Sir, about my being a house painter — or rather, not a question, you simply made a statement — is typical of the whole...