an old proverb says that every parent loves the ugly duckling most. my book, the depths of the soul, was, from its beginning, my favourite. it was written in the beautiful years in which the first rays of analytic psychognosis penetrated the darkness of the human soul. the reader may find between the lines the exuberant joy of a discoverer. first impressions are the strongest. it is an unfortunate fact that subsequent impressions lack the vividness, the intensity, the warmth, and the colours of the first emotions.

the great success of this book in many foreign languages has given me incalculable pleasure, because it has served to confirm my own blind love. no other book has brought me so many friends from far and near.

i am happy that my friend dr. tannenbaum has devoted his knowledge of the art of translation to my favourite child, and i hope that this translation will bring me many new english friends.

the author.