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Grundlsee
21. 8. 1930
Dear Dr. Zweig,
Of the many congratulations which the Goethe Prize brought me none has touched me so deeply as the one which you extorted from your poor eyes (though there is no evidence of this in your handwriting) and this is obviously
because I feel with you as with scarcely anyone else that my friendship meets with a real response. I do not deny that I was pleased about the Goethe prize. The thought of a closer connection with Goethe is very tempting, and the prize itself is more an act of deference to the person than an appraisal of his achievement. On the other hand, at my time of life such recognition has neither much practical value nor great emotional significance. For a reconciliation with my contemporaries it comes pretty late and I have never doubted that long after my day analysis will finally win through. As I read your letter I discovered that I would have been not much less pleased had they given you the prize, and it would really have been more appropriate. But no doubt many similar things lie in store for you.
My wife and daughter send warm regards to you, and to your wife whom I would like to thank especially for her congratulations. My daughter will represent me at the Goethe celebrations in Frankfort.
With every good wish
Yours
Freud