In Franz Kafka's "Letters to Milena," the author explores the complex and often painful emotions that come with love. The quote "You are the knife I turn inside myself; that is love" encapsulates the deep intensity of his feelings. Love, for Kafka, is not just joy and connection; it also brings anguish and suffering, symbolized by the metaphor of a knife that inflicts pain while also being a part of one's identity.

This expression reveals the dual nature of love, where pleasure and pain coexist. Kafka's letters to Milena highlight his struggle with his emotions, reflecting how love can be both a source of fulfillment and a cause of inner turmoil. This profound insight into the nature of love illustrates how deeply intertwined our attachments can be with our personal suffering and existential reflections.