To blow and to swallow at the same time is not easy; I cannot at the same time be here and also there.

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

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

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

Nothing is so easy to fake as the inner vision.

Everything that deceives does so by casting a spell.

Egypt was the mother of magicians.

The more enlightened our houses are, the more their walls ooze ghosts.

Appearances often are deceiving.

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.

Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear.

The believer in magic and miracles reflects on how to impose a law on nature—and, in brief, the religious cult is the outcome of this reflection.

The fact is certain because it is impossible.