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Quotes

Once something becomes discernible, or understandable, we no longer need to repeat it. We can destroy it.

—Robert Wilson, 1991

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

—Tom Robbins, 1976

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

—Abraham the Jew, c. 1400

The subconscious is ceaselessly murmuring, and it is by listening to these murmurs that one hears the truth.

—Gaston Bachelard, 1960

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

—Demosthenes, 349 BC

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.

—Roald Dahl, 1990

Egypt was the mother of magicians.

—Clement of Alexandria, c. 200

There is not so contemptible a plant or animal that does not confound the most enlarged understanding.

—John Locke, 1689

Appearances often are deceiving.

—Aesop, c. 550 BC

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.

—Fr. Antonio Monserrate, 1590

Everything that deceives does so by casting a spell.

—Plato, c. 375 BC

The fact is certain because it is impossible.

—Tertullian, c. 200

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

—Emmanuel Lévinas, 1952