I shall curse you with book and bell and candle.

To ensure the adoration of a theorem for any length of time, faith is not enough; a police force is needed as well.

On no other stage are the scenes shifted with a swiftness so like magic as on the great stage of history when once the hour strikes.

Everything is a miracle. It is a miracle that one does not dissolve in one’s bath like a lump of sugar.

Nothing is so easy to fake as the inner vision.

Nothing is so easy as to deceive one’s self; for what we wish, that we readily believe.

The Mughal’s nature is such that they demand miracles, but if a miracle were to be performed by some upright follower of our religion, they would say that it had been brought about by magic and sorcery. They would strike him down with spears or would stone him to death.

One thing alone not even God can do: to make undone whatever has been done.

Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business.

Watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you, because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.

The fear of the Lord is true wisdom, and he who hath it not can in no way penetrate the true secrets of magic.

A miracle entails a degree of irrationality—not because it shocks reason, but because it makes no appeal to it.

Men willingly believe what they wish.