#stekel

[frankensteincest]

Just as the dream knows no negative in general, it recognizes no denial of life. In the dream dying means usually the same as living and often the greatest life urge is expressed as a death wish. Similar psychologic considerations hold true also of suicide; even the choice of the manner of self-destruction is influenced by certain erotic factors. This thought has been repeatedly expressed by the poets; philosophers, too, have dwelt on the intimate relations between Eros and Thanatos. In the dream, as in actual life, murder is often a crime passionelle representing nothing more than a sexual act with a strongly sadistic coloring.

WILLIAM STEKEL, ‘XII. The symbolism of life and death in the dream...’ from Sex and Dreams: The Language of Dreams tr. James S. Von Teslaar

In the same way as a dream does not know of denial in a general sense, it also does not know of denial of life. In a dream, dying is the same as being alive. Thus, the highest joie de vivre frequently expresses itself in a wish for death. Incidentally, similar psychological aspects apply to suicide; the choice of the form of death, too, is influenced by specific erotic fantasies. Poets have repeatedly expressed these ideas, and philosophers, too, have shed light on these connections between Eros and Thanatos. Even murder in a dream is, as is often the case in real life, nothing but sexual murder, and often represents merely an intense sadistically tinged sexual act.

as quoted in The Essential Writings of Sabina Spielrein

[robertsmithsonlibraryandbookclub]

Untitled Project: Robert Smithson Library & Book Club [Stekel, Wilhelm, Auto-erotism, 1950] Oil paint on carved wood, 2017

[dragonmind81]

[quotitude]

Visit (http://quotitude.tumblr.com) to browse our amazing quotations!

[thescandalouslovechild]

Kinderen zijn geen vervangingsmiddel voor de liefde of een gebroken levensdoel; ze zijn niet gemaakt van materiaal dat bestemd is de leegte in onze levens te vullen; zij betekenen een verantwoordelijkheid en een zware opgave; het zijn de meest stralende bloemen van de vrije liefde. Zij zijn niet het speelgoed van de ouders en al evenmin de vervulling van hun levensbehoefte, nog een surrogaat van hun onbevredigde eerzucht. Kinderen zijn de verplichting van hen gelukkige mensen te maken.

Stekel  ♥