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Vienna IX, Berggasse 19
July 9, 1913
Dear Friend
Is it possible? Am I already congratulating you on your fortieth birthday? Your nostalgic letter moved me very much,
first because it reminded me of my own fortieth birthday, since when I have changed my skin several times, which, as we know, occurs every seven years. At that time (1896) I had reached the peak of loneliness, had lost all my old friends and hadn't acquired any new ones; no one paid any attention to me, and the only thing that kept me going was a bit of defiance and the beginning of The Interpretation of Dreams. But when I look at you, I can't help thinking of you as luckier in many respects, even if the congratulations haven't become any louder. You stand there firmly established, the road ahead is clear, you are highly respected by an unusually select circle of friends whose leader you are destined to become. One possession1 of which I felt sure at your age you haven't yet acquired, and I know that one misses most keenly and appreciates most highly what one hasn't been able to attain.
On your fortieth birthday I think I may drop my reserve and confess to you that the only reason why I didn't advise you strongly against D. was that I was afraid that according to the pattern of neurotic behavior, you would insist all the more. What are you planning to do now? For each of us fate assumes the form of one (or several) women, and your fate bears several unusually precious features.
I think you know that this year I have put off the Emdens,2 charming company as they are, in order to spend several weeks in Marienbad free of analysis. My closest companion will be my little daughter,3 who is developing very well at the moment (you will long ago have guessed the subjective condition for the “Choice of the Three Caskets.”4 I hope to be fit enough in San Martino5 to enjoy your company better than last year when everything and everyone were too much for me. Abraham is to visit us at the end of August and will probably