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SOME YEARS AGO, AN EMINENT PSYCHOANALYST told me about a most intelligent, cooperative man whom he once had in analysis in Vienna. The analysis seemed to progress, a great deal was learned; the patient accepted the interpretations as genuine, and they seemed to be included into the analytic work, to the enhancement of the process. This went on for several years, but apparently nothing changed. Finally the patient himself complained about it. He said he had been coming faithfully for some time; a great deal seemed to have become clear and understandable; it was all very interesting, but he had not changed in any significant way.
His analyst at that point said, "What about your insights?" to which the patient replied, "Oh well, I have them-I have them alright." The analyst then asked, "Well, what about them, what do you do with them?" The patient replied, "I have them. They are on the top shelf of the closet. Someday I might need them."