Letter from Sigmund Freud to Sándor Ferenczi, March 25, 1917

[to Gizella Pálos]

Vienna, March 25, 1917
IX., Berggasse 19

Dearest lady,

I knew that I would get into the position of continuing our correspondence. What makes my task easier is the assurance that you are just as certain of the honesty and interest from my side as I am of yours.

Our friend writes to me that his previous neurotic uncertainty is at an end, feels the unambiguous need to put a constant being together in place

of your hitherto impeded and unsatisfactory relations, and is asking you through me to give your consent and to put aside consideration for your daughter, who can no longer play a role with him. I have taken on this mission of trust because I, too, know of no other and better solution for both of you. It would be unnatural for you to sacrifice yourself for your daughter, to whom this sacrifice can bring no advantage. But postponement has already spoiled more than can be remedied.

It has probably never looked any different in him than is now evident. But as long as he felt young and healthy, he continued the game with his fantasies of not wanting to give up any possibility for pleasure and enjoying all fluctuations. But now his condition, which does bring along with it a certain need for fostering and care, may have told him that it is time to do the only serious thing to set matters straight.

One could raise the objection that he is not just now in a condition to take on the excitement that is connected with such a step on your part. But I hope that, when you have made up your mind, you will also know how to carry through all the necessary things without noise and complaint.

I have the impression that it is the story of the three Sibylline books, the third of which, after the destruction of the first ones, was, to be sure, more expensive than all of them, but still valuable enough.1—I won't be astonished if you give your answer directly to our friend.

Yours truly,