Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business.
—Tom Robbins, 1976Quotes
In the past, men created witches; now they create mental patients.
—Thomas Szasz, 1970Egypt was the mother of magicians.
—Clement of Alexandria, c. 200The 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. 1400To ensure the adoration of a theorem for any length of time, faith is not enough; a police force is needed as well.
—Albert Camus, 1951One thing alone not even God can do: to make undone whatever has been done.
—Aristotle, c. 350 BCCurses are like young chickens, they always come home to roost.
—Robert Southey, 1809The subconscious is ceaselessly murmuring, and it is by listening to these murmurs that one hears the truth.
—Gaston Bachelard, 1960Nothing is so easy as to deceive one’s self; for what we wish, that we readily believe.
—Demosthenes, 349 BCEverything that deceives does so by casting a spell.
—Plato, c. 375 BCI shall curse you with book and bell and candle.
—Thomas Malory, c. 1470There is not so contemptible a plant or animal that does not confound the most enlarged understanding.
—John Locke, 1689On 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.
—Edward Bellamy, 1888