Letter from Sigmund Freud to Oskar Rie, August 4, 1921

Bad Gastein
August 4, 1921

Dear Oskar

I received your letter when the thermometer registered 100° F., and am answering it at 48°. Hardly has the wish for a

change been granted when one regrets its fulfillment. Isn't life often like this?

The unexpected heat wave in Gastein has also brought me a week of great fatigue, which was conquered, however, before the fall in temperature. The baths are announcing their effect by reviving the complaints against which they are taken, which is as it should be. A great triumph has reached me here: the first French translation, that of the five lectures,1 published by the Revue de Genêve. More direct contacts with Paris promise that we shall soon be acquiring an audience in reluctant France.

On July 31 a telegram from Ernst announced the birth of a son2 of whom (apart from his weight, 7¹/₂ pounds) there is no further news. Mother and child are reported to be well. Those in Aussee3 are not very generous with news; on the fourteenth we are planning to meet on the way to Innsbruck, and on the following day travel on to Seefeld.4

I hope to capture you there for several days' conversation. I think it is quite wrong for you to starve yourself. The times demand all our energies, the mobilization of our reserves, and our poor Conrad5 (our physique) is prepared to cooperate only if he is well treated. On rainy days we will get together for a game of taroc.

Your friendly words about me have done me good although they didn't tell me anything new, because I have been looking upon your friendship for more than a lifetime as an assured possession. I have been able to give something to many people in my life; from you fate has allowed me only to receive. I have confidence in your strength and that you will also prove yourself superior to the present situation.

My latest little book, on group psychology,6 probably reached you some time ago? At least I gave orders for it to be sent before I left.