# Quote — Franz Kafka, The Complete Stories

> "I always wanted you to admire my fasting," said the hunger artist. "We do admire it," said the overseer, affably. "But you shouldn't admire it," said the hunger artist. "Well then we don't admire it," said the overseer, "but why shouldn't we admire it?" "Because I have to fast, I can't help it," said the hunger artist. "What a fellow you are," said the overseer, "and why can't you help it?" "Because," said the hunger artist, lifting his head a little and speaking, with his lips pursed, as if for a kiss, right into the overseer's ear, so that no syllable might be lost, "because I couldn't find the food I liked. If I had found it, believe me, I should have made no fuss and stuffed myself like you or anyone else." These were his last words, but in his dimming eyes remained the firm though no longer proud persuasion that he was still continuing to fast.

- Author: [Franz Kafka](https://www.leafyquotes.com/franz-kafka.md)
- Book: [The Complete Stories](https://www.leafyquotes.com/franz-kafka/the-complete-stories.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Franz_Kafka#The_Complete_Stories_(1971)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/franz-kafka/the-complete-stories/i-always-wanted

## More from this book

> All knowledge, the totality of all questions and all answers, is contained in the dog. If one could but realize this knowledge, if one could but bring it into the light of day, if we dogs would but own that we know infinitely more than we admit to ourselves!

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/franz-kafka/the-complete-stories/all-knowledge-the.md)

> "You asking me the way?" "Yes," I said, "since I can't find it myself." "Give it up! Give it up!" said he, and turned with a sudden jerk, like someone who wants to be alone with his laughter.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/franz-kafka/the-complete-stories/you-asking-me-the.md)

> "Everything you say is boring and incomprehensible," she said, "but that alone doesn't make it true."

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/franz-kafka/the-complete-stories/everything-you-say.md)