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

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.

There is nothing that man fears more than the touch of the unknown. He wants to see what is reaching toward him and to be able to recognize or at least classify it. Man always tends to avoid physical contact with anything strange.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear.

There are times when reality becomes too complex for oral communication. But legend gives it a form by which it pervades the whole world.

Appearances often are deceiving.

Superstitions are habits rather than beliefs.