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This paper is an English translation of Ferenczi's speech delivered in German at the First Psychoanalytic Congress, held in Salzburg in 1908. It was published only in Hungarian, first in a medical magazine (Gyógyászat) in 1908, then in the book Lélekelemzés (Psychoanalysis) together with other psychoanalytic papers by Ferenczi, in 1909. It includes two appendices, undated, which must have been added to the original paper somewhat later.
The main paper is a bold protest against 'inappropriate pedagogical methods and theories… Clinging to meaningless religious superstitions, to the traditional cult of authorities, to obsolete social institutions is a pathological phenomenon… Leaving children alone during the most violent crisis of their sexual development, without support or instruction, explanation or assurance, is cruel…' At this early date he advises against overpampering or too severe punishment. He also explains the meaning and possible consequences of repression.
In the first appendix he supplements his former comments on repression with well-chosen comparisons. The second appendix is an advocation of psychoanalysis. To this end he includes a picture of a person who underwent psychoanalysis from which we quote because in it Ferenczi involuntarily revealed some facets of his own personality. 'A man with true self-knowledge becomes modest—apart from the exalted feeling created by this knowledge. He is lenient toward the faults of others, willing to forgive; moreover, from the principle "tout comprendre c'est tout pardonner" he aspires only to understand—he does not feel justified to pardon. He analyzes the motives of his own emotions and thereby prevents their degeneration into passions. He watches with cheerful humor the human groups fighting under various banners; in his actions he is not led by loudly proclaimed morals, but by sober efficiency, and this incites him to watch over and to control those of his wishes whose gratification might offend the r