“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.”
- May 6, 1856 – September 23, 1939
- Austrian
- Neurologist, Founder of Psychoanalysis
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Quote
“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.”
Explanation
Freud here explores the psychological function of illusions—beliefs or fantasies that are not grounded in reality but serve emotional needs. These illusions are attractive because they protect us from pain and allow us to experience a sense of comfort or pleasure, whether through faith, optimism, or denial. Freud acknowledges their value in softening life’s harshness, suggesting that illusions are not inherently irrational but emotionally functional.
This theme runs throughout Freud’s work, particularly in texts like The Future of an Illusion (1927), where he critiques religious belief as a comforting illusion that helps people cope with existential fears and uncertainties. Yet, he does not mock illusions outright; instead, he emphasizes the inevitability of disillusionment. When reality intrudes—through trauma, failure, or death—these illusions are often “dashed to pieces,” revealing the emotional risk of relying on them too heavily. His point is not to avoid illusions altogether, but to recognize their fragility.
In modern life, this quote speaks to experiences such as romantic idealization, political utopianism, or personal denial. People may believe they are immune to betrayal, failure, or illness—until faced with stark reality. Freud’s wisdom lies in urging us to accept these moments of collision without bitterness, understanding that illusions are part of the human condition, but reality has the final word. This acceptance is crucial for psychological maturity and resilience.
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