In November 1897, a 14-year-old Franz Kafka inscribed a short, thoughtful aphorism in the “liber amicorum” of his close friend, Hugo Bergmann. This tiny piece of text, now recognized as one of Kafka’s earliest surviving writings, reflects a profound awareness of themes that would later define his literary career. Recently auctioned by Bonhams, this note offers a fascinating glimpse into Kafka’s emerging worldview.
The “liber amicorum,” or “friendship book,” was a common keepsake in which friends left personal messages, poems, or reflections. On page six of Bergmann’s book, Kafka wrote in German:
“Es gibt ein Kommen und ein Gehn Ein Scheiden und oft kein – Wiedersehn”
In English, this translates to:
“There is a coming and a going A parting and often no – returning.”
Even in these few lines, Kafka displayed an early sensitivity to the fleeting nature of human connections and the unpredictability of life. This reflection, concise yet poignant, prefigures the existential themes of alienation and transience that permeate his mature work.
Hugo Bergmann, the recipient of this note, was Kafka’s closest companion during their school years. Their friendship was intellectual and profound, with Kafka first expressing his desire to become a writer at Bergmann’s home. Later in life, Bergmann became a respected philosopher and the first rector of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He carried the “liber amicorum” with him when he emigrated to Palestine in 1920, preserving this unique document as a testament to their bond.
Despite its brevity, Kafka’s aphorism captures the essence of what would later be termed “Kafkaesque.” It hints at the inevitability of separation and the melancholy uncertainty of reconnection, themes that resonate deeply in his later works. These early lines suggest a young mind already grappling with profound existential questions.
Reflecting on this note many years later, Bergmann, at the age of 90, wondered if Kafka, still in his teens, fully understood the philosophical depth of his words. He speculated that the aphorism could be interpreted as a subtle warning to their generation, highlighting Kafka’s early ability to articulate timeless truths.
