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

I shall curse you with book and bell and candle.

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.

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

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

Curses are like young chickens, they always come home to roost.

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

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.

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

Many are the wonders of the world, and none so wonderful as man.

The most beautiful emotion we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of all true art and science.

Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear.