# Quotes about magic - Quotes: 62 - Authors: 21 - Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic - JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.json ## Quotes > In general he doesn’t know any more about magic than an ostrich knows about icebergs. [Randall Garrett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randall-garrett.md) · [Lord Darcy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randall-garrett/lord-darcy.md) · p. 197 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randall-garrett/lord-darcy/in-general-he-doesnt.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > It can’t be magic, Daphne thought. Magic is just a way of saying “I don’t know.” [Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Nation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/nation.md) · p. 157 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/nation/it-cant-be-magic.md) Topics: [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Magic—that's just a label, you know. Completely meaningless. It wasn't so very long ago that people were saying that electricity was magic. [Robert Bloch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-bloch.md) · [Psycho](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-bloch/psycho.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-bloch/psycho/magic-thats-just-a-label.md) Topics: [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > I am nothing but a scientist of sufficiently advanced technology, which is to say a magician. [Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://www.leafyquotes.com/adrian-tchaikovsky.md) · [Elder Race](https://www.leafyquotes.com/adrian-tchaikovsky/elder-race.md) · p. 197 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/adrian-tchaikovsky/elder-race/i-am-nothing.md) Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > It was funny about magic, how messy and imperfect it was. When people said something worked like magic they meant that it cost nothing and did exactly what you wanted it to. But there were lots of things magic couldn’t do. It couldn’t raise the dead. It couldn’t make you happy. He couldn’t make you good-looking. And even with the things it could do, it didn’t always do them right. And it always, always cost something. [Lev Grossman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman.md) · [The Magician's Land](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magicians-land.md) · p. 260 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magicians-land/it-was-funny.md) Topics: [happiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/happiness.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > That was magic for you, right? The thing about magic, the real kind: it didn’t make excuses, and it was never funny. [Lev Grossman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman.md) · [The Magician's Land](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magicians-land.md) · p. 257 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magicians-land/that-was-magic.md) Topics: [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > You know what Arthur C. Clarke said about technology and magic, right? Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Turn it around. What is advanced magic indistinguishable from? Any sufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from the miraculous. [Lev Grossman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman.md) · [The Magician King](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magician-king.md) · p. 316 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magician-king/you-know-what.md) Topics: [technology](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/technology.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md), [miracles](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/miracles.md) > Magic: it was what happened when the mind met the world, and the mind won for a change. [Lev Grossman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman.md) · [The Magician King](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magician-king.md) · p. 232 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magician-king/magic-it-was.md) Topics: [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Where was the line between a spell and a miracle? [Lev Grossman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman.md) · [The Magician King](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magician-king.md) · p. 330 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magician-king/where-was-the.md) Topics: [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md), [miracles](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/miracles.md) > He threw his sword away. Screw swords. A magician doesn’t need a sword. A magician doesn’t need anything but what’s inside him. [Lev Grossman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman.md) · [The Magician King](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magician-king.md) · p. 263 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magician-king/he-threw-his.md) Topics: [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md), [strength](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/strength.md) > To be honest, Quentin felt superior to anybody who still messed around with magic. They could delude themselves if they liked, those self-indulgent magical mandarins, but he’d outgrown that stuff. He wasn’t a magician anymore, he was a man, and a man took responsibility for his actions. [Lev Grossman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman.md) · [The Magicians](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magicians.md) · p. 394 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magicians/to-be-honest.md) Topics: [responsibility](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/responsibility.md), [growing up](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/growing-up.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Most people are blind to magic. They move through a blank and empty world. They’re bored with their lives, and there’s nothing they can do about it. They’re eaten alive by longing, and they’re dead before they die. [Lev Grossman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman.md) · [The Magicians](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magicians.md) · p. 88 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magicians/most-people-are.md) Topics: [boredom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/boredom.md), [longing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/longing.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Once magic was real everything else just seemed so unreal. [Lev Grossman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman.md) · [The Magicians](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magicians.md) · p. 72 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magicians/once-magic-was.md) Topics: [reality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reality.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > “Sometimes I wonder if man was really meant to discover magic,” Fogg said expansively. “It doesn’t really make sense. It’s a little too perfect, don’t you think? If there’s a single lesson that life teaches us, it’s that wishing doesn’t make it so. Words and thoughts don’t change anything. Language and reality are kept strictly apart—reality is tough, unyielding stuff, and it doesn’t care what you think or feel or say about it. Or it shouldn’t. You deal with it, and you get on with your life. > > “Little children don’t know that. Magical thinking: that’s what Freud called it. Once we learn otherwise we cease to be children. The separation of word and thing is the essential fact on which our adult lives are founded.” [Lev Grossman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman.md) · [The Magicians](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magicians.md) · p. 216 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magicians/sometimes-i-wonder.md) Topics: [reality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reality.md), [childhood](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/childhood.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > “All magic means is a line between knowledge and ignorance,” Ortega responded. “A magician is someone who can do something you don’t know how to do. All technology, for example, is magic to a primitive.” [Jack L. Chalker](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-l-chalker.md) · [Midnight at the Well of Souls](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-l-chalker/midnight-at-the-well-of-souls.md) · p. 66 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-l-chalker/midnight-at-the-well-of-souls/all-magic-means.md) Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [technology](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/technology.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > All things are known, but most things are forgotten. It takes a special magic to remember them. [Robert Holdstock](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-holdstock.md) · [Lavondyss](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-holdstock/lavondyss.md) · p. 137 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-holdstock/lavondyss/all-things-are.md) Topics: [memory](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/memory.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Magic wasn't difficult. That was the big secret that the whole baroque edifice of wizardry had been set up to conceal. Anyone with a bit of intelligence and a bit of perseverance could do magic, which was why the wizards cloaked it with rituals and the whole pointy-hat business. (pp. 178-179) [Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Moving Pictures](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/moving-pictures.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/moving-pictures/magic-wasnt-difficult.md) Topics: [appearances](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/appearances.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Still magic, like policing, has always been much more about the practice than the theory. [Ben Aaronovitch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch.md) · [False Value](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/false-value.md) · p. 236 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/false-value/still-magic-like.md) Topics: [experience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/experience.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > “I’m a magician, I am,” he said. “I can see things that are really there.” [Ben Aaronovitch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch.md) · [False Value](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/false-value.md) · p. 159 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/false-value/im-a-magician.md) Topics: [reality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reality.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > “There’s paperwork for magic? asked Vanessa. > > “Not so glamorous now, eh?” I said. [Ben Aaronovitch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch.md) · [The October Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/the-october-man.md) · p. 202 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/the-october-man/theres-paperwork-for.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [bureaucracy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/bureaucracy.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Not everything that’s unexplained is caused by magic. [Ben Aaronovitch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch.md) · [The October Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/the-october-man.md) · p. 139 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/the-october-man/not-everything-thats.md) Topics: [secrets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/secrets.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Low sample size—one of the reasons why magic and science are hard to reconcile. [Ben Aaronovitch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch.md) · [Whispers Under Ground](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/whispers-under-ground.md) · p. 106 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/whispers-under-ground/low-sample-size-one.md) Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Magic, you’ll find, is nine parts dull to one part excitement, and the exciting bits usually hurt like the blazes. [Django Wexler](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler.md) · [The Forbidden Library](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler/the-forbidden-library.md) · p. 159 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler/the-forbidden-library/magic-youll-find.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Of course, where magic is involved, appearances don’t mean much. [Django Wexler](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler.md) · [The Palace of Glass](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler/the-palace-of-glass.md) · p. 207 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler/the-palace-of-glass/of-course-where.md) Topics: [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md), [appearance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/appearance.md) > “What do you see here?” > > “Books?” > > “Indeed, books. They are the ocean in which magic swims.” [Django Wexler](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler.md) · [The Forbidden Library](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler/the-forbidden-library.md) · p. 139 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler/the-forbidden-library/what-do-you.md) Topics: [reading](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reading.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > I had said before that all stories were magic. It had never occurred to me that all magic was stories. [Jim C. Hines](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-c-hines.md) · [Unbound](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-c-hines/unbound.md) · p. 297 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-c-hines/unbound/i-had-said.md) Topics: [stories](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/stories.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > If books are indeed magic (and does anyone really believe otherwise?), then they are a collaborative magic between author and reader. [Jim C. Hines](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-c-hines.md) · [Libriomancer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-c-hines/libriomancer.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-c-hines/libriomancer/if-books-are.md) Topics: [reading](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reading.md), [literature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/literature.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Primitive man would see every one of us as a magician. [John Wyndham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-wyndham.md) · [Plan for Chaos](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-wyndham/plan-for-chaos.md) · p. 58 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-wyndham/plan-for-chaos/primitive-man-would.md) Topics: [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md), [technological progress](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/technological-progress.md) > She sowed in my mind the idea that reality is not only what we see on the surface; it has a magical dimension as well and, if we so desire, it is legitimate to enhance it and color it to make our journey through life less trying. (p22) [Isabel Allende](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isabel-allende.md) · [Eva Luna](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isabel-allende/eva-luna.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isabel-allende/eva-luna/she-sowed-in-my-mind.md) Topics: [reality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reality.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > “‘Different laws of physics,’” said Ariel, “and ‘supernatural’ seem synonymous to me.” [Steven R. Boyett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-r-boyett.md) · [Ariel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-r-boyett/ariel.md) · p. 47 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-r-boyett/ariel/different-laws-of-physics.md) Topics: [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md), [physics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/physics.md) > Magic, after all? He felt the untrimmed hair at the nape of his neck rising. But then, maybe it was just electronics—magic rationalized. [Keith Laumer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/keith-laumer.md) · [The Time Bender](https://www.leafyquotes.com/keith-laumer/the-time-bender.md) · p. 175 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/keith-laumer/the-time-bender/magic-after-all.md) Topics: [technology](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/technology.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Sometimes the short road is not the safest ... Sorcery is a sword without a hilt. There is no safe way to grasp it. [George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Storm of Swords](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-storm-of-swords.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-storm-of-swords/sometimes-the-short.md) Topics: [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Sorcery is the sauce fools spoon over failure to hide the flavor of their own incompetence. [George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Clash of Kings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/sorcery-is-the.md) Topics: [stupidity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/stupidity.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Sorcery works against Nature, magic works with it. [Avram Davidson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/avram-davidson.md) · [The Phoenix and the Mirror](https://www.leafyquotes.com/avram-davidson/the-phoenix-and-the-mirror.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/avram-davidson/the-phoenix-and-the-mirror/sorcery-works-against.md) Topics: [nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/nature.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Magic is merely communication, after all. > > Communication, and conduits. [N. K. Jemisin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/n-k-jemisin.md) · [The Kingdom Of Gods](https://www.leafyquotes.com/n-k-jemisin/the-kingdom-of-gods.md) · p. 325 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/n-k-jemisin/the-kingdom-of-gods/magic-is-merely.md) Topics: [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > There’s not such thing as magic that does no harm. [N. K. Jemisin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/n-k-jemisin.md) · [The Broken Kingdoms](https://www.leafyquotes.com/n-k-jemisin/the-broken-kingdoms.md) · p. 93 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/n-k-jemisin/the-broken-kingdoms/theres-not-such.md) Topics: [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > With the advance of knowledge, therefore, prayer and sacrifice assume the leading place in religious ritual; and magic; which once ranked with them as a legitimate equal, is gradually relegated to the background and sinks to the level of a black art. [James George Frazer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer.md) · [The Golden Bough](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough/with-the-advance.md) Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md), [prayer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/prayer.md) > In point of fact magicians appear to have often developed into chiefs and kings. [James George Frazer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer.md) · [The Golden Bough](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough/in-point-of-fact.md) Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > For ages the army of spirits, once so near, has been receding farther and farther from us, banished by the magic wand of science from hearth and home, from ruined cell and ivied tower, from haunted glade and lonely mere, from the riven murky cloud that belches forth lightning, and from those fairer clouds that pillow the silvery moon or fret with flakes of burning red the golden eve. [James George Frazer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer.md) · [The Golden Bough](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough/for-ages-the.md) Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Ancient magic was the very foundation of religion. [James George Frazer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer.md) · [The Golden Bough](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough/ancient-magic-was.md) Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > For there are strong grounds for thinking that, in the evolution of thought, magic has preceded religion. [James George Frazer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer.md) · [The Golden Bough](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough/for-there-are.md) Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > From the earliest times man has been engaged in a search for general rules whereby to turn the order of natural phenomena to his own advantage, and in the long search he has scraped together a great hoard of such maxims, some of them golden and some of them mere dross. The true or golden rules constitute the body of applied science which we call the arts; the false are magic. [James George Frazer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer.md) · [The Golden Bough](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough/from-the-earliest.md) Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > If the test of truth lay in a show of hands or a counting of heads, the system of magic might appeal, with far more reason than the Catholic Church, to the proud motto, Quod semper, quod ubique, quod ab omnibus [always, everywhere, and by all], as the sure and certain credential of its own infallibility. [James George Frazer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer.md) · [The Golden Bough](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough/if-the-test.md) Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [truth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/truth.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > If we analyze the principles of thought on which magic is based, they will probably be found to resolve themselves into two: first, that like produces like, or that an effect resembles its cause; and, second, that things which have once been in contact with each other continue to act on each other at a distance after the physical contact has been severed. The former principle may be called the Law of Similarity, the latter the Law of Contact or Contagion. From the first of these principles, namely the Law of Similarity, the magician infers that he can produce any effect he desires merely by imitating it: from the second he infers that whatever he does to a material object will affect equally the person with whom the object was once in contact, whether it formed part of his body or not. [James George Frazer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer.md) · [The Golden Bough](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough/if-we-analyze.md) Topics: [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > “So that’s a magical world down there?” asked Bamber. > > Falija replied in an astonished voice, “No, of course it’s not magical. It’s completely real. It simply has a lot of lifeforms that you’re unfamiliar with.” > > Glory asked, “What do you mean, it’s not magical, it’s real?” > > “It’s a real world. It has real qualities. Up is always up and down is always down. Fruit falls from a tree, it doesn’t float to the sky. Creatures are born in this world, and grow up and eventually die. What’s true today is also true tomorrow. > > “If this were a magical world, all those things would be subject to could have by anyone who had power or could command it by spell or enchantment. Magical worlds can’t exist in our universe because their rules change constantly, and there’s no difference between evil and good. Power is power, and everyone does what they can get away with.” > > “I always thought magic was sort of nice,” said Glory. > > Falija’s ears drooped. “Humans are fascinated with magic. Your people like to believe in powers that will break all the laws of the universe, just for you.” Falija shivered. [Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [The Margarets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/the-margarets.md) · p. 351 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/the-margarets/so-thats-a-magical.md) Topics: [reality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reality.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > “Magic!” cried the demon. “Miracle! What difference between the two?” > > “There is no difference at all,” said Galenor. “Except that people allow themselves to believe an event if it’s called a miracle while disdaining the same event if it’s called magic. Or vice versa. [Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [The Visitor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/the-visitor.md) · p. 417 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/the-visitor/magic-cried-the.md) Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > “Even when you went to the moon, you didn’t go in search of truth. Oh, you said it was to learn about the universe, but you really went because you were playing a dominance game with another country. Once the other side no longer played the game, you only pretended to go on while actually you started the long slide back into magic and miracles.” > > Nell said angrily, “Miracles are religion!” > > ”It doesn’t matter what name you call it,” said the small god. “Magic or miracle, sorcery or religion, it’s all the same.” [Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [The Visitor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/the-visitor.md) · p. 460 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/the-visitor/even-when-you.md) Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > There’s some who say magic came from nature, and with men destroying nature right and left, there’s not enough of it left. [Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [Beauty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/beauty.md) · p. 304 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/beauty/theres-some-who.md) Topics: [nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/nature.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > “How is that possible?” > > “To a Wizard, anything is possible,” the Dervish said with more than a hint of scorn. “Or so they lead themselves to believe.” [Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [The Search of Mavin Manyshaped](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/the-search-of-mavin-manyshaped.md) · p. 75 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/the-search-of-mavin-manyshaped/how-is-that.md) Topics: [pride](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pride.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Magic's far too important to be used for rulin' people. (p. 316) [Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Witches Abroad](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/witches-abroad.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/witches-abroad/magics-far-too.md) Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Perhaps the magic would last. Perhaps it wouldn't. But then, what does? (p. 355; closing words) [Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Guards! Guards!](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/guards-guards.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/guards-guards/perhaps-the-magic.md) Topics: [transience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/transience.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > The senior wizards know that the proper purpose of magic is to form a social pyramid with the wizards on top of it, eating big dinners. (p. 189) [Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Reaper Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/reaper-man.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/reaper-man/the-senior-wizards.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > Some people think this is paranoia, but it isn't. Paranoids only think everyone is out to get them. Wizards know it. [Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Sourcery](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/sourcery.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/sourcery/some-people-think.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > A popular spell at the time was Pelepel's Temporal Compressor, which on one occasion resulted in a race of giant reptiles being created, evolving, spreading, flourishing and then being destroyed in the space of about five minutes, leaving only its bones in the earth to mislead forthcoming generations completely. [Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Sourcery](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/sourcery.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/sourcery/a-popular-spell.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > It was octarine, the colour of magic. It was alive and glowing and vibrant and it was the undisputed pigment of the imagination, because wherever it appeared it was a sign that mere matter was a servant of the powers of the magical mind. It was enchantment itself. [Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [The Colour of Magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/the-colour-of-magic.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/the-colour-of-magic/it-was-octarine.md) Topics: [imagination](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/imagination.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > That's what's so stupid about the whole magic thing, you know. You spend twenty years learning the spell that makes nude virgins appear in your bedroom, and then you're so poisoned by quicksilver fumes and half-blind from reading old grimoires that you can't remember what happens next. [Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [The Colour of Magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/the-colour-of-magic.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/the-colour-of-magic/thats-whats-so-stupid.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > There is no such thing as magic, though there is such a thing as a knowledge of the secrets of nature. [Henry Rider Haggard](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henry-rider-haggard.md) · [She](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henry-rider-haggard/she.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henry-rider-haggard/she/there-is-no-such.md) Topics: [nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/nature.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > "They're both magic. If you can't learn to ride an elephant, you can at least learn to ride a horse." [Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Equal Rites](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/equal-rites.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/equal-rites/theyre-both-magic.md) Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > A world like that, which exists only because the gods enjoy a joke, must be a place where magic can survive. And sex too, of course. [Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Equal Rites](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/equal-rites.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/equal-rites/a-world-like.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [sex](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sex.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > There would be a price. And Granny knew enough about wizardry to be certain that it would be a high one. But if you were worried about the price, then why were you in the shop? [Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Equal Rites](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/equal-rites.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/equal-rites/there-would-be-a-price.md) Topics: [choices](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/choices.md), [risk](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/risk.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > She told me that if magic gives people what they want, then not using magic can give them what they need. [Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Equal Rites](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/equal-rites.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/equal-rites/she-told-me-that.md) Topics: [desire](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/desire.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md) > We all been playing those mind games forever > > Some kinda druid dudes lifting the veil. > > Doing the mind guerrilla, > > Some call it magic — the search for the grail. [John Lennon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-lennon.md) · [Mind Games](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-lennon/mind-games.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-lennon/mind-games/we-all-been.md) Topics: [music](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/music.md), [magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/magic.md)