Letter from Sigmund Freud to Sándor Ferenczi, April 24, 1914

Vienna, April 24, 1914
IX., Berggasse 19

Dear friend,

I had certainly noticed in Brioni that you are somehow inhibited, and I connected it with Rank's presence; but I didn't pursue it further because I was suffering from a hypochondriacal withdrawal of libido. Since then a great tracheitis-laryngitis1 has broken out in me with a clear lifting of the prodromal general symptoms.2 I haven't stopped working—out of greed and a feeling of obligation—, but I missed last Wednesday, and today I haven't felt well for a long time, neither locally nor generally, and above all I am very incapable of thinking.

Jung's surprising resignation3 has made our task much easier. He does, in fact, seem to be a part of that power that etc.4 What goes on in him and what he intends can't be figured out but can only be a matter of indifference to us. Perhaps he has succumbed to the salvo in the Zeitschrift,5 and the bomb in the Jahrbuch is coming too late. I have immediately begun to feel like a “conference of heads” and have initiated an action about which you, like our other friends, are supposed to be or have already been notified by a letter from Rank.6

There is nothing at all left for me about the acquisition of fire. Cultural history is mute on the subject. But I am very curious as to what kind of serious things the both of you will come out with.

The material for the Jahrbuch must, as Hitschmann says, be cut back. For that reason Rank and Sachs have withdrawn their contribution.7 So, you should save your lecture for another time, or let it ferment as the germ of a new work.

Kind regards to you and Frau G.

Yours truly,

Freud