Letter from Sándor Ferenczi to Sigmund Freud, January 18, 1908

Budapest, January 18, 1908
VII., Erzsébet-körút 541

Dear Professor,

I am very grateful to you that you have declared yourself ready to receive me, unknown that I am, in the company of my colleague Dr. Stein.2 Not only because I am eager to approach personally the professor whose teachings have occupied me constantly now for approximately a year, but also because this meeting promises much that is useful and instructive.

I need erudition more than ever, now that I am about to appear before a partly ignorant, partly misinformed medical audience.3 In view of this I am keeping in mind your axiom that, in order to be true, one must be considerate of one's audience, and I therefore want for the moment to bring out only rather conspicuous, easily understandable facts. The task is very difficult at best; I would only do harm to the cause with a tactless surprise attack and want at least to turn out to be a master in my limitation.4

Forgive me if I get right in medias res. The subject easily overwhelms one.

I thank you again for your cordiality and remain in pleasant anticipation of February 2.

Your most obedient

Dr. Ferenczi