Theodor Reik was an Austrian-American psychoanalyst, who studied under the legendary ‘Sigmund Freud’. He is known for bringing the discipline of ‘Lay Analysis’ to the United States. After earning his Ph.D. from the University of Vienne in 1912, Reik studied under the tutelage of Sigmund Freud and learnt as much about psychoanalysis as he could. Reik was someone who could think out of the box and when he was barred from practicing in the United States for not being an MD, he decided to establish the ‘National Psychological Association’ for Psychoanalysis in New York City. He trained psychoanalysts there, and the organisation remains one of the most important psychoanalysis centres till date. Reik left behind a rich legacy and the fact that he brought lay analysis to America has ensured that he remained immortal in the annals of psychoanalysis. Some of his well-known books include ‘The Compulsion to Confess’, ‘The Unknown Murderer’, ‘Ritual: Four Psychoanalytic Studies’ and ‘Masochism in Modern Man’ among others. He left behind a treasure trove of highly profound quotes and thoughts on psychoanalysis, human happiness and its importance. Here is a collection of sayings and quotations by Theodor Reik that are sure to give you insights about the subject.
…if you cannot hate you cannot love. If you cannot bite you can not kiss. If you cannot curse you cannot bless. Who cannot be a good hater will be a poor lover.
The repressed memory is like a noisy intruder being thrown out of the concert hall. You can throw him out, but he will bang on the door and continue to disturb the concert. The analyst opens the door and says, If you promise to behave yourself, you can come back in.
Anybody possessing analytical knowledge recognizes the fact that the world is full of actions performed by people exclusively to their detriment and without perceptible advantage, although their eyes were open
