In this quote, Kafka is revealing his belief that the Bible is a sacred and holy text, while the world is seen as something disgusting and repulsive. The word "sanctum" refers to a sacred or sanctuary, stressing the Bible's importance and respect. On the other hand, "sputum" is a medical term for saliva or mucous, typically associated with sickness and disgust. By contrasting the Bible with the world, Kafka may be suggesting that the teachings and values discovered in the Bible are pure and divine, while the world is polluted and corrupt. This quote highlights Kafka's view of the Bible as a source of spiritual assistance and the world as a source of temptation and sin.
"Unless we form the habit of going to the Bible in bright moments as well as in trouble, we cannot fully respond to its consolations because we lack equilibrium between light and darkness"
"A book is sent out into the world, and there is no way of fully anticipating the responses it will elicit. Consider the responses called forth by the Bible, Homer, Shakespeare - let alone contemporary poetry or a modern novel"
"When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said "Let us pray." We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land"
"It is to be deeply regretted that the clergymen would oppose an effort to teach the people the Bible truths; nevertheless, we find much opposition everywhere, and many clergymen will attempt to prevent the people from reading what is here written"
"Fundamentalists are panicked by the apparent disintegration of the family, the disappearance of certainty and the decay of morality. Fear leads them to ask, if we cannot trust the Bible, what can we trust?"