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Freud Verbatim: Quotations and Aphorisms
The founder of psychoanalysis and one of the twentieth century’s most influential thinkers, in his own words. Sigmund Freud is on the very short list of historical figures who have profoundly influenced—perhaps even revolutionized—the way we think and the way we see the world and ourselves. This book compiles quotes, maxims, observations, and witticisms from the founder of psychoanalysis and the popularizer of such terms as ego, superego, and id. Covering subjects ranging from politics and religion to love and sex, this collection assembles passages from Freud’s major works, as well as making use of personal letters to his friends and family. Organized into ten thematic chapters, this thought-provoking compilation provides a representative look into all of Freud’s work.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2014
About the author
Sigmund Freud
4,540 books8,678 followersDr. Sigismund Freud, M.D. (University of Vienna)—later changed to Sigmund—was a neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, who created an entirely new approach to the understanding of the human personality. He is regarded as one of the most influential—and controversial—minds of the 20th century.
In 1873, Freud began to study medicine at the University of Vienna. After graduating, he worked at the Vienna General Hospital. He collaborated with Josef Breuer in treating hysteria by the recall of painful experiences under hypnosis. In 1885, Freud went to Paris as a student of the neurologist Jean Charcot. On his return to Vienna the following year, Freud set up in private practice, specialising in nervous and brain disorders. The same year he married Martha Bernays, with whom he had six children.
Freud developed the theory that humans have an unconscious in which sexual and aggressive impulses are in perpetual conflict for supremacy with the defences against them. In 1897, he began an intensive analysis of himself. In 1900, his major work The Interpretation of Dreams was published in which Freud analysed dreams in terms of unconscious desires and experiences.
In 1902, Freud was appointed Professor of Neuropathology at the University of Vienna, a post he held until 1938. Although the medical establishment disagreed with many of his theories, a group of pupils and followers began to gather around Freud. In 1910, the International Psychoanalytic Association was founded with Carl Jung, a close associate of Freud's, as the president. Jung later broke with Freud and developed his own theories.
After World War One, Freud spent less time in clinical observation and concentrated on the application of his theories to history, art, literature and anthropology. In 1923, he published The Ego and the Id, which suggested a new structural model of the mind, divided into the 'id, the 'ego' and the 'superego'.
In 1933, the Nazis publicly burnt a number of Freud's books. In 1938, shortly after the Nazis annexed Austria, Freud left Vienna for London with his wife and daughter Anna.
Freud had been diagnosed with cancer of the jaw in 1923, and underwent more than 30 operations. He died of cancer on 23 September 1939.
In 1873, Freud began to study medicine at the University of Vienna. After graduating, he worked at the Vienna General Hospital. He collaborated with Josef Breuer in treating hysteria by the recall of painful experiences under hypnosis. In 1885, Freud went to Paris as a student of the neurologist Jean Charcot. On his return to Vienna the following year, Freud set up in private practice, specialising in nervous and brain disorders. The same year he married Martha Bernays, with whom he had six children.
Freud developed the theory that humans have an unconscious in which sexual and aggressive impulses are in perpetual conflict for supremacy with the defences against them. In 1897, he began an intensive analysis of himself. In 1900, his major work The Interpretation of Dreams was published in which Freud analysed dreams in terms of unconscious desires and experiences.
In 1902, Freud was appointed Professor of Neuropathology at the University of Vienna, a post he held until 1938. Although the medical establishment disagreed with many of his theories, a group of pupils and followers began to gather around Freud. In 1910, the International Psychoanalytic Association was founded with Carl Jung, a close associate of Freud's, as the president. Jung later broke with Freud and developed his own theories.
After World War One, Freud spent less time in clinical observation and concentrated on the application of his theories to history, art, literature and anthropology. In 1923, he published The Ego and the Id, which suggested a new structural model of the mind, divided into the 'id, the 'ego' and the 'superego'.
In 1933, the Nazis publicly burnt a number of Freud's books. In 1938, shortly after the Nazis annexed Austria, Freud left Vienna for London with his wife and daughter Anna.
Freud had been diagnosed with cancer of the jaw in 1923, and underwent more than 30 operations. He died of cancer on 23 September 1939.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 16, 2020
A very quick read because it’s a book of quotations. They are arranged topically and each theme is prefaced by a summary of contexts. This is a great book for those who already have a positive (at least, respectful) view of Sigmund Freud and want to delve deeper into his personality. I always thought Freud was a genius, but after reading this book, he now comes across a wounded lover. Yes he can sound like a bastard sometimes, but his sarcasm and ironies are a result of great disappointment in the darkness of human nature. There’s a certain kind of longing in the person of Freud, longing for a je-ne-sais-quoi. Eternal joy? True love? Salvation? Pristine hope? One can only wonder.
Still one of my favourite medical figures in history.
Still one of my favourite medical figures in history.
May 16, 2018
Perhaps I'm not into the Freud way of thinking and his ideas, but this book didn't cause a wow feeling on me.
January 18, 2021
A Gread read for an overview of Freud's works. Key ideas are here, but majority were missed as well.
February 27, 2026
Güzeldi… iyiydi.. hoştu…
May 4, 2015
Received this book through Goodreads FirstReads.
My rating of one star might be a little stingy, but it reflects my annoyance with this book. My copy clearly had a printing issue. Every few pages were half blank, as in you could fold the page the long way and half the text was missing. So I was at best able to achieve a partial reading experience with this book, and anyway who can truly claim to have finished a book that's not completely printed?
My second comment deals with the project of this book. I think a more apt title would be Freud Out of Context. In this book, brief introductions to each chapter are given, and then you're presented with a million decontextualized quotes. My takeaway? Freud was a fricking asshole. Also very repetitive. I really do not think that the project of this book was to get people to realize what an arrogant snot Freud was, but by taking his words out of context and without weighing in editorially, what you're left with are the words of a crappy human being. At least I didn't have to revise my opinion of Freud much.
My rating of one star might be a little stingy, but it reflects my annoyance with this book. My copy clearly had a printing issue. Every few pages were half blank, as in you could fold the page the long way and half the text was missing. So I was at best able to achieve a partial reading experience with this book, and anyway who can truly claim to have finished a book that's not completely printed?
My second comment deals with the project of this book. I think a more apt title would be Freud Out of Context. In this book, brief introductions to each chapter are given, and then you're presented with a million decontextualized quotes. My takeaway? Freud was a fricking asshole. Also very repetitive. I really do not think that the project of this book was to get people to realize what an arrogant snot Freud was, but by taking his words out of context and without weighing in editorially, what you're left with are the words of a crappy human being. At least I didn't have to revise my opinion of Freud much.
October 11, 2014
FTC disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews