We are never so defenseless against suffering as when we love, never so forlornly unhappy as when we have lost our love object or its love.

No neurotic harbors thoughts of suicide which are not murderous impulses against others redirected upon himself.

One must learn to give up momentary, uncertain and destructive pleasure for delayed, restrained, but dependable pleasure.

What is characteristic of illusions is that they are derived from human wishes.

Opposition is not necessarily enmity; it is merely misused and made an occasion for enmity.

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

The meager satisfaction that man can extract from reality leaves him starving.