# Quote — Franz Kafka, The Complete Stories

> When . . . some leisurely passer-by stopped . . . and spoke of cheating, that was in its way the stupidest lie ever invented by indifference and inborn malice, since it was not the hunger artist who was cheating, he was working honestly, but the world was cheating him of his reward.

- 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/when-some-leisurely

## 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)