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26 April 1932
Vienna, IX. Berggasse 19
Dear Jones,
I am pleased that you received my Rundbrief sympathetically. The demand for a detailed statement of the Verlag's position is fully justified. Martin is busy preparing one. It will soon be in your hands. The answers from Sarasin and Ferenczi, too, are evidence of their great willingness. I do not deceive myself about the difficulties.
It is superfluous to comment on the general international situation. Perhaps we are only repeating the ridiculous act of rescuing a birdcage while the house is burning down. As foolhardy as it may seem, one can only act by making optimistic assumptions.1
The best news in your letter is that you and your family are well.
Cordially yours,
Freud
The extraordinary power of the German here cannot readily be conveyed in English: “Aber der Handelnde muss doch immer so leichtsinnig sein, von einer optimistischen Möglichkeit auszugehen.”