Letter from Sigmund Freud to Karl Abraham, January 1, 1913

148F

Vienna IX, Berggasse 19
1 January 1913

Dear Friend,

Thank you for your friendly lines. The hospitality we are able to provide in Vienna, and what I in particular am able to do in that respect, is so little.

Now accept my cordial good wishes for the New Year, which will certainly not be an easy one for us. The past year achieved something nice on the very last day with a letter from Fr. Kraus, from which I gather that he asked you to call on him and is by no means disinclined to your cause. He still counts on “Bonhoeffer's approval” and confirms that you have a good reputation—even among the opponents. The letter was very decent, exceptional for someone who will soon be a privy councillor. Will you keep me informed about how things develop?

Stekel is to give a talk in Berlin on the 6th of January. Stöcker,1 as I told you, excused herself to me on the basis of ignorance of the state of affairs, which was forgivable at that time and expressed her opinion that nothing can be done now. That may be so, but he should still feel that he has an anachronism to thank for his invitation, and he should feel inhibited to some extent in his productions. Firstly, he will lie shamelessly about the reasons for his resignation. I have already prepared Stöcker for this. Secondly, he will obviously preach Adlerism, as he is now in their employ, and politeness need not go so far as to acclaim everything he says. He should be reminded of the change of conditions. So have another word with Stöcker, and think how anxious he might be made in his godlikeness.

Forgive the nasty affair; politics corrupt the character.

Yours cordially,

Freud