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The defense against childish helplessness is what lends its characteristic features to the adult's reaction to the helplessness which he has to acknowledge - a reaction which is precisely the formation of religion.

Sigmund Freud

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Sigmund Freud
Age: 83 †
Born: 1856
Born: May 6
Died: 1939
Died: September 23
Essayist
Neurologist
Philosopher
Psychiatrist
Psychoanalyst
Psychologist
Freiberg
Sigismund Schlomo Freud
Freud
Features
Childish
Reactions
Helplessness
Acknowledge
Formation
Defense
Characteristic
Adults
Reaction
Religion
Precisely
Characteristics
Adult
Lends

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A strong experience in the present awakens in the creative writer a memory of an earlier experience (usually belonging to his childhood) from which there now proceeds a wish which finds its fulfilment in the creative work.
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There is little that gives children greater pleasure than when a grown-up lets himself down to their level, renounces his oppressive superiority and plays with them as an equal.
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Writers write for fame, wealth, power and the love of women.
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If you want to endure life, prepare yourself for death.
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The view is often defended that sciences should be built up on clear and sharply defined basal concepts. In actual fact no science, not even the most exact, begins with such definitions. The true beginning of scientific activity consists rather in describing phenomena and then in proceeding to group, classify and correlate them.
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The most ancient and important taboo prohibitions are the two basic laws of totemism: not to kill the totem animal and to avoid sexual intercourse with members of the totem clan of the opposite sex.
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In so doing, the idea forces itself upon him that religion is comparable to a childhood neurosis, and he is optimistic enough to suppose that mankind will surmount this neurotic phase, just as so many children grow out of their similar neurosis.
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So in every individual the two trends, one towards personal happiness and the other unity with the rest of humanity, must contend with each other.
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Two hallmarks of a healthy life are the abilities to love and to work. Each requires imagination.
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Toward the person who has died we adopt a special attitude: something like admiration for someone who has accomplished a very difficult task.
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We are what we are because we have been what we have been.
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