So perhaps the best resource is to meet everything passively, to make yourself an inert mass, to stare at others with the eyes of an animal, to feel no compunction, with your own hand to throttle down whatever ghostly life remains in you.
The quote suggests a philosophy of complete detachment and passivity in the face of life's challenges. It implies that one might find a sense of relief or freedom by becoming an inert observer, akin to an animal, devoid of emotional burdens and conflicts. This state of being calls for a relinquishing of one's active engagement in life, which can be both a critique of societal pressures and an invitation to embrace a more primal, unfeeling existence.
Kafka's words reflect a deep existential struggle, capturing the tension between life’s demands and the desire to escape from them. By advocating for a “throttling” of vitality, Kafka may be highlighting the despair that often accompanies self-awareness and participation in society. The imagery of an observer devoid of feelings suggests a yearning for peace in a tumultuous world, hinting at the complexity of human emotions and the allure of surrendering to a more instinctive, less encumbered way of being.
