Sigmund Freud

Psychoanalysis

Modern influential 108 sayings

Sayings by Sigmund Freud

The unconscious is the true psychical reality; in its innermost nature it is as much unknown to us as the reality of the external world, and it is as incompletely presented by the data of consciousness as is the external world by the communications of our sense organs.

1899 — From 'The Interpretation of Dreams'
Controversial Unverifiable

The more the fruits of knowledge become accessible to men, the more widespread is the decline of religious belief.

1927 — From 'The Future of an Illusion'
Controversial Unverifiable

The tendency to aggression is an innate, independent, instinctual disposition in man... it constitutes the most powerful obstacle to culture.

1930 — From 'Civilization and Its Discontents'
Controversial Unverifiable

The unconscious of one human being can react upon that of another without passing through the conscious.

1915 — From 'The Unconscious'
Controversial Unverifiable

The child is the father of the man.

1899 — From 'The Interpretation of Dreams'
Controversial Unverifiable

The dream is the liberation of the spirit from the pressure of external nature, a detachment of the soul from the fetters of matter.

1899 — From 'The Interpretation of Dreams'
Controversial Unverifiable

The dream is the guardian of sleep.

1899 — From 'The Interpretation of Dreams'
Controversial Unverifiable

The dream is the royal road to the unconscious.

1899 — From 'The Interpretation of Dreams'
Controversial Unverifiable

Neurotics build castles in the air, psychotics live in them, and psychiatrists collect the rent.

Approx. mid-20th century — Attributed, a humorous and self-deprecating quote about his profession.
Humorous Unverifiable

The fully developed, healthy person operates according to the reality principle.

1920 — Beyond the Pleasure Principle (implied, not direct quote)
Humorous Unverifiable

Illusions commend themselves to us because they save us pain and enable us to enjoy pleasure instead. We must therefore accept it without complaint when they sometimes collide with a bit of reality and are shattered.

1930 — Civilization and Its Discontents
Humorous Unverifiable

No one who has tasted the forbidden fruit of knowledge can ever again be satisfied with the primitive bliss of ignorance.

Approx. early 20th century — Attributed, often quoted.
Humorous Unverifiable

Dreams are often most profound when they seem the most crazy.

1899 — The Interpretation of Dreams
Humorous Unverifiable

The more the parents express their love, the more the child will grow in security and self-esteem.

Approx. early 20th century — Attributed, often quoted.
Humorous Unverifiable

The neurotic is always trying to avoid a catastrophe that never happens.

Approx. early 20th century — Attributed, often quoted.
Humorous Unverifiable

The dream is the fulfilling of a wish.

1899 — The Interpretation of Dreams
Humorous Unverifiable

The aim of all life is to find pleasure and avoid pain.

1920 — Beyond the Pleasure Principle (implied, not direct quote)
Humorous Unverifiable

The creative writer does the same as the child at play; he creates a world of fantasy which he takes very seriously—that is, he invests it with a great deal of affect—though he separates it sharply from reality.

1908 — Creative Writers and Day-Dreaming
Humorous Unverifiable

America is a mistake, a gigantic mistake.

1909 (after his visit) — Attributed in various biographies and letters, expressing his disillusionment after visiting the US.
Humorous Unverifiable

Man has a need for religion but he also has a need for freedom from religion.

1927 — The Future of an Illusion
Humorous Unverifiable