Harry Houdini Quotes

The Sun represents the right half of the body and the Moon the left half ... ~ Harry Houdini

What the eyes sees, the ear hears, and the mind belives. ~ Harry Houdini

I always have on my mind the thought that next year I must do something greater, something more wonderful. ~ Harry Houdini

Fire has always been and, seemingly, will always remain, the most terrible of the elements. ~ Harry Houdini

Pickpockets either work alone or in pairs, or what is called a mob. ~ Harry Houdini

To cause the face to appear in a mass of flame make use of the following: mix together thoroughly petroleum, lard, mutton tallow and quick lime. Distill this over a charcoal fire, and the liquid which results can be burned on the face without harm. ~ Harry Houdini

It was on the steamer carrying him through the Golden Gate that he happened to reach down into the hole in the lining of the right pocket of his overcoat and discover the envelope that his brother had solemnly handed to him almost a month before. It contained a single piece of paper, which Thomas had hastily stuffed into it that morning as they all were leaving the house together for the last time, by way or in lieu of expressing the feelings of love, fear, and hopefulness that his brother's escape inspired. It was the drawing of Harry Houdini, taking a calm cup of tea in the middle of the sky, that Thimas had made in his notebook during his abortive career as a librettist. Josef studied it, feeling as he sailed toward freedom as if he weighed nothing at all, as if every precious burden had been lifted from him. ~ Michael Chabon

Rosabelle - answer - tell - pray, answer - look - tell - answer, answer - tell. ~ Harry Houdini

The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method of procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. ~ Harry Houdini

I'm tired of fighting. ~ Harry Houdini

The secret of showmanship consists not of what you really do, but what the mystery-loving public thinks you do. ~ Harry Houdini

I think that in a year I may retire. I cannot take my money with me when I die and I wish to enjoy it, with my family, while I live. I should prefer living in Germany to any other country, though I am an American, and am loyal to my country. ~ Harry Houdini

Only one man ever betrayed my confidence, and that only in a minor matter. ~ Harry Houdini

Almost the first thing you see after entering the Houdini exhibition at the Jewish Museum is a large-screen film of Harry Houdini hanging by his ankles upside-down from a tall building, high over a sea of men in fedoras, and thrashing his way out of a straitjacket. ~ Robert Gottlieb

Through the eight books in 'The Treasure Chest' series, readers will meet twins Maisie and Felix and learn the secrets and rules of time travel, where they will encounter some of these famous and forgotten people. In Book 1, Clara Barton, then Alexander Hamilton, Pearl Buck, Harry Houdini, and on and on. ~ Ann Hood

I'm tired of fighting, Dash. I guess this thing is going to get me. ~ Harry Houdini

My chief task has been to conquer fear. The public sees only the thrill of the accomplished trick; they have no conception of the tortuous preliminary self-training that was necessary to conquer fear. ~ Harry Houdini

The pickpocket is usually very well dressed and of prepossessing appearance. ~ Harry Houdini

Eating coals of fire has always been one of the sensational feats of the Fire Kings, as it is quite generally known that charcoal burns with an extremely intense heat. ~ Harry Houdini

What the eyes see and the ears hear, the mind believes. ~ Harry Houdini

My professional life has been a constant record of disillusion, and many things that seem wonderful to most men are the every-day commonplaces of my business. ~ Harry Houdini

It is needless to say that women make the most patient as well as the most dangerous pickpockets. ~ Harry Houdini

Disloyalty in trusted servants is one of the most disheartening things that can happen to a public performer. ~ Harry Houdini

Flames from the lips may be produced by holding in the mouth a sponge saturated with the purest gasoline. ~ Harry Houdini

The greatest escape I ever made was when I left Appleton, Wisconsin. ~ Harry Houdini

Magic is the sole science not accepted by scientists, because they can't understand it. ~ Harry Houdini

But then, so far as I know, I am the only performer who ever pledged his assistants to secrecy, honor and allegiance under a notarial oath. ~ Harry Houdini

I am a great admirer of mystery and magic. Look at this life - all mystery and magic. ~ Harry Houdini

The eating of burning brimstone is an entirely fake performance. ~ Harry Houdini

They do tricks even I can't figure out. ~ Harry Houdini

I don't believe it," I muttered. "How on earth did he manage to get the padlocks back onto the can?"

Thomas opened his mouth, but Mrs. Harvey silenced him with a look. "Not a word out of you, dear. Or I swear I'll finish my story about poor Mr. Harvey and his underthings. ~ Kerri Maniscalco

I do not believe that ghosts or spirits exist. ~ Harry Houdini

No performer should attempt to bite off red-hot iron unless he has a good set of teeth. ~ Harry Houdini

Another method of eating burning coals employs small balls of burned cotton in a dish of burning alcohol. ~ Harry Houdini

In 1921, Harry Houdini started his own film company called - wait for it - the Houdini Picture Corporation. ~ Kage Baker

It is still an open question, however, as to what extent exposure really injures a performer. ~ Harry Houdini

In all feats of fire-eating it should be noted that the head is thrown well back, so that the flame may pass out of the open mouth instead of up into the roof, as it would if the head were held naturally. ~ Harry Houdini

No prison can hold me; no hand or leg irons or steel locks can shackle me. No ropes or chains can keep me from my freedom. ~ Harry Houdini

An old trick well done is far better than a new trick with no effect. ~ Harry Houdini

A magician is only an actor - an actor pretending to be a magician. ~ Harry Houdini

Never try to fool children, they expect nothing, and therefore see everything ... ~ Harry Houdini

I must fling myself down and writhe; I must strive with every piece of force I possess; I bruise and batter myself against the floor, the walls; I strain and sob and exhaust myself, and begin again, and exhaust myself again; but do I feel pain? Never. How can I feel pain? There is no place for it. ~ Harry Houdini

Never tell the auidience how good you are, they will soon find out for themselves. ~ Harry Houdini

I am not an irretrievable skeptic. I am not hopelessly prejudiced. I am perfectly willing to believe, and my mind is wide open; but I have, as yet, to be convinced. I am perfectly willing, but the evidence must be sane and conclusive. ~ Harry Houdini

A common pickpocket trick is for the operator to carry a shawl or overcoat carelessly over the left arm, and to take a seat on the right side of the person they intend to rob in a streetcar or other vehicle. ~ Harry Houdini

Anyone who believes in magic is a fool. ~ Harry Houdini

The possible, as it was presented in her Health textbook (a mathematical progression of dating, "career," marriage, and motherhood), did not interest Harriet. Of all the heroes on her list, the greatest of them all was Sherlock Holmes, and he wasn't even a real person. Then there was Harry Houdini. He was the master of the impossible; more importantly, for Harriet, he was a master of escape. No prison in the world could hold him: he escaped from straitjackets, from locked trunks dropped in fast rivers and from coffins buried six feet underground.

And how had he done it? He wasn't afraid. Saint Joan had galloped out with the angels on her side but Houdini had mastered fear on his own. No divine aid for him; he'd taught himself the hard way how to beat back panic, the horror of suffocation and drowning and dark. Handcuffed in a locked trunk in the bottom of a river, he squandered not a heartbeat on being afraid, never buckled to the terror of the chains and the dark and the icy water; if he became lightheaded, for even a moment, if he fumbled at the breathless labor before him– somersaulting along a river-bed, head over heels– he would never come up from the water alive.

A training program. This was Houdini's secret. ~ Donna Tartt

I will say it again," said Dumbledore as the phoenix rose into the air and resettled itself upon the perch beside the door. "You have shown bravery beyond anything I could have expected of you tonight. Harry. You have shown bravery equal to those who died fighting Voldemort at the height of his powers. You have shouldered a grown wizard's burden and found yourself equal to it - and you have now given us all we have a right to expect. You will come with me to the hospital wing. I do not want you returning to the dormitory tonight. A Sleeping Potion, and some peace . . . Sirius, would you like to stay with him?"
Sirius nodded and stood up. He transformed back into the great black dog and
walked with Harry and Dumbledore out of the office, accompanying them down a
flight of stairs to the hospital wing.
When Dumbledore pushed open the door. Harry saw Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Ron, and
Hermione grouped around a harassed-looking Madam Pomfrey. They appeared to
be demanding to know where Harry was and what had happened to him. All of
them whipped around as Harry, Dumbledore, and the black dog entered, and Mrs.
Weasley let out a kind of muffled scream.
"Harry! Oh Harry!"
She started to hurry toward him, but Dumbledore moved between them.
"Molly," he said, holding up a hand, "please listen to me for a moment. Harry has been through a terrible ordeal tonight. He has just had to relive it for me.What he needs now is sleep, and peace, and ~ J.K. Rowling

He stopped. She heard the intake of his breath. "You are my country, Desdemona." Yearning, harsh and poignant and she felt herself swaying toward him. "My Egypt. My hot, harrowing desert and my cool, verdant Nile, infinitely lovely and unfathomable and sustaining."
She gasped.
His gaze fell, shielded by his lashes. An odd, half-mocking smile played about his lips. "You'll never hear old Blake say something like that."
She swallowed, unable to speak, her senses abraded by his stimulating words, her pulse hammering in anticipation? Trepidation?
"Remember my words next time he calls you a bloody English rose. ~ Connie Brockway

It's my policy." -Harry Bosch ~ Michael Connelly

I could be 100 years old and in my rocker, but I'll still be very proud that I was part of the 'Harry Potter' films. ~ Emma Watson

Why does there appear to be so little magic in the world these days? It is because people have stopped believing in it or lose touch with it as they grow up. It is because we have become so sophisticated and lost our ancient and natural roots. It is because religion, science and education have taught us that magic does not exist. That even supposing it does exist – which to many is far too big an 'if' – then it couldn't possibly work. Their self-fulfilling sophistry complete, they then turn round and say 'There you are you see, there is no magic in the world, just as we said.' And we and the world are all the poorer as a result of this. I mean, what are we left with? Santa, the Easter Bunny, Harry Potter and the Tooth Fairy. ~ H.M. Forester

She can't explain or quite understand what it is that is special about dancing with Harry. When he opens his arms to her, he is so sure, the way he holds her, not too hard, not too soft. Like coming home. Where she belongs. The way he moves her. They are a part of the music. Their bodies fit together, move like one person. Perfect. The way a man and a woman must feel, she thinks, when they are in love. He makes her feel beautiful, too, like when he assures her that someday she will be good enough to be a professional dancer. Harry must know, because he is the best dancer, the best teacher, a girl could have, patient and gentle. She is lucky that he believes in her. That is how she feels outside his door. ~ Alice Simpson

Once darkness has what its wants, it drops you like a hot potato. ~ Mark Andrew Poe

Harry Potter," a voice says from my left. "Have you tried reading the Bible?" A woman, mid-forties, judgment scribbled all over her pinched, powdered face. Why do Bible lovers always have that constipated look on their face? Don't stereotype, Helena! I do my best to smile politely. "Is that the book where that lady turns into a statue after looking back at a burning city after God told her not to?" I say. "And where three defiant men are thrown into a furnace and don't burn. Oh, and isn't there a gal who feeds and puts to sleep the general of an enemy's army, and then uses a mallet to drive a tent peg into his brain?" She looks at me blankly. "But those are true. And that," she says, pointing to Harry, "is fiction. Not to mention devil worship." "Uh huh, uh huh. Devil worship? Is that like when the Israelites made a cow god of gold and worshipped it?" She's enraged. "You would love this book," I say, shoving The Goblet of Fire at her. "It's PG-rated compared to the Bible." "You, ~ Tarryn Fisher

Actually, the Burmese don't refer to her by name. They just call her "The Lady." It's like Voldemort in Harry Potter, "He Who Must Not Be Named. ~ Guy Delisle

You're mine now, Harry thought at the walls of Diagon Alley, and all the shops and items, and all the shopkeepers and customers; and all the lands and people of wizarding Britain, and all the wider wizarding world; and the entire greater universe of which Muggle scientists understood so much less than they believed. I, Harry James Potter-Evans-Verres, do now claim this territory in the name of Science.
Lightning and thunder completely failed to flash and boom in the cloudless skies.
"What are you smiling about?" inquired Professor McGonagall, warily and wearily.
"I'm wondering if there's a spell to make lightning flash in the background whenever I make an ominous resolution," explained Harry. He was carefully memorising the exact words of his ominous resolution so that future history books would get it right. ~ Eliezer Yudkowsky

I shrugged and said sadly, 'What? Once we gave them the vote, it went totally out of control.'
'You're a pig, Harry,' Murphy growled.
'But a pig smart enough to bow to the inevitable. ~ Jim Butcher

To keep the Golden Rule we must put ourselves in other people's places, but to do that consists in and depends upon picturing ourselves in their places. ~ Harry Emerson Fosdick

You're arguing in a circle," I said. "In a spiral," said Lamiel, "which is the best way to argue. ~ Harry Blamires

I love Harry Potter. I've read all the books several times. ~ Lorelei Linklater

Be a lover. Give love. Choose love. Love everyone, always. ~ Harry Styles

Harry Dresden. Saving the world, one act of random destruction at a time. ~ Jim Butcher

Not all people are ready to accept psychiatry as a normal branch of medicine. The general impression, as I believe, is that a man who needs a psychiatrist must be crazy. ~ Harry Segall

Molly! I've got to ask you your question first!" "Arthur, really, this is just silly. . ." "What do you like me to call you when we're alone together?" Even by the dim light of the lantern Harry could tell that Mrs. Weasley had turned bright red; he himself felt suddenly warm around the ears and neck, and hastily gulped soup, clattering his spoon as loudly as he could against the bowl. "Mollywobbles," whispered a mortified Mrs. Weasley into the crack at the edge of the door. "Correct," said Mr. Weasley. "Now you can let me in. ~ J.K. Rowling

Her ankle was screaming like a blonde in a horror flick ...
Huffing a little, she once more wished that being a witch was lot more like Harry Potter made it out to be and a lot less like being a good cook. This whole situation would be vastly improved if all she had to do was dig her magic wand out of her bag, point it at the security guards chasing her, and shout, Stupefy! ~ Christine Warren

Lockhart cuffed Harry merrily on the shoulder. "Just do what I did, Harry!" "What, drop my wand? ~ J.K. Rowling

We got a plague of people, a disease of people infesting the world. We got more people who are living longer. Less people have to be born, that's the answer. We got death control - we got to match it with birth control. ~ Harry Harrison

I'm in the Dance Band on the Titanic Singing "Nearer my God to thee" and the icebergs on the starboard bow Won't you dance with me? ~ Harry Chapin

Finally, it was about how people treat one another. It was about human dignity. We forced the employers to treat us as equals, to sit down and talk to us about the work we do, how we do it, and what we get paid for it. And I believe that the principles for which we fought in 1934 are still true and still useful. Whether your job is pushing a four-wheeler, or programming a computer, I don't know of any way for working people to win basic economic justice and dignity except by being organized into a solid, democratic union. ~ Harry Bridges

Chabad is very important because without Jewish education, Diaspora Jewry would disappear. ~ Harry Triguboff

And the rest of the story?" he asked, trying to force a smile. "Is that like everything else in POT, on a need-to-know basis?"
She nodded.
The waiter came to their table, but must have sensed his timing was off and went away again.
She opened her mouth to say something. Harry could see that she was on the verge of tears. She bit her lower lip. Then she put the napkin down on the tablecloth, shoved her chair back, stood up without a word and left. Harry remained, sitting and staring at the napkin. She must have been squeezing it in her hand for some time, he mused, because it was crumpled up into a ball. He watched it slowly unfold like a white paper flower. ~ Jo Nesbo

It is by acts (actions) and not by ideas (mere thoughts) that people [really] live. ~ Harry Emerson Fosdick

I'm just a politician from Missouri and proud of it. ~ Harry Truman

There cannot be a whole complete human being without an integration of feeling with thinking and acting, provided by 'doing', arising spontaneously out of the fundamental experience of 'being'. ~ Harry Guntrip

YOUR PATHETIC!" Harry yelled. "JUST BECAUSE THEY MADE A FOOL OF YOU AT SCHOOL YOU WON'T EVEN LISTEN -- ~ J.K. Rowling

Bite me, faerie fruitcake. ~ Jim Butcher

I saw a Harry Reid statement saying, there's nothing in the Constitution that says the Senate has to act on any presidential nominee. Well, that was back when President Bush was president and vice versa. So this is not a pretty carrying-on at the moment. ~ Nina Totenberg

How long have you been a Wiccan?'
'A what?'
'A pagan. A witch.'
'I'm not a witch,' I said, glancing out the door. 'I'm a wizard.'
Sanya frowned. 'What is the difference?'
'Wizard has a Z'
He looked at me blankly.
'No one appreciates me.' I muttered. ~ Jim Butcher

Attention, shoppers! Discount specials on Harry Dresden's life. Slightly used, no refunds, limit one per customer. Shop smart. Shop S-Mart. ~ Jim Butcher

Do you have a little white dress? I've had this deep-seated nurse fantasy about you, Murphy. ~ Jim Butcher

Harry constantly repeated Dumbledore's final words to himself. "I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me ... Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it. "But what good were these words? Who exactly were they supposed to ask for help, when everyone was just as confused and scared as they were? ~ J.K. Rowling