The Magicians Quotes

We walked out of there, and for the first time I felt the mood of a night without feeling that an author was ramming it down my throat for story purposes. I looked at the clean-swept, star-reaching cubism of the Radio City area and its living snakes of neon, and I suddenly thought of an Evelyn Smith story the general idea of which was "After they found out the atom bomb was magic, the rest of the magicians who enchanted refrigerators and washing machines and the telephone system came out into the open." I felt a breath of wind and wondered what it was that had breathed. I heard the snoring of the city and for an awesome second felt it would roll over, open its eyes, and ... speak. ~ Theodore Sturgeon

An illusion has three stages.
"First there is the setup, in which the nature of what might be attempted at is hinted at, or suggested, or explained. The apparatus is seen. volunteers from the audience sometimes participate in preparation. As the trick is being setup, the magician will make use of every possible use of misdirection.
"The performance is where the magician's lifetime of practice, and his innate skill as a performer, cojoin to produce the magical display.
"The third stage is sometimes called the effect, or the prestige, and this is the product of magic. If a rabbit is pulled from a hat, the rabbit, which apparently did not exist before the trick was performed, can be said to be the prestige of that trick. ~ Christopher Priest

Her people, the Half-Lights, were the by-blows of the full-blood Magicians and humans. As such, they were outcasts from both kingdoms. Their magic was too unpredictable for the magicians, and too magic - period - for the humans. ~ Susan Scott

It is the magician's bargain: give up our soul, get power in return. But once our souls, that is, ourselves, have been given up, the power thus conferred will not belong to us. We shall in fact be the slaves and puppets of that to which we have given our souls. ~ C.S. Lewis

I am the magician's girl who does not flinch. ~ Sylvia Plath

Now sir, said the bulldog in his business-like way. 'Are you a animal, vegetable, or mineral?'
- The Magician's Nephew ~ C.S. Lewis

Dear Q,

Hell of a thing getting you out of that dungeon. Richard showed up, finally, for which I suppose we should be grateful, though G-d knows he doesn't make it easy.

We wanted to stay, Q, but it was hard, and getting harder every day. The centaurs said it wasn't working. But if you're reading this then you woke up after all. I'm sorry about everything. I know you are too. I know I said I didn't need a family to become who I was supposed to be, but it turned out that I did. And it was you.

We'll meet again.

-E ~ Lev Grossman

The Magicians brilliantly explores the hidden underbelly of fantasy and easy magic, taking what's simple on the surface and turning it over to show us the complicated writhing mess beneath. It's like seeing the worlds of Narnia and Harry Potter through a 3-D magnifying glass. ~ Naomi Novik

Tonight Oskar and his daughter are going to sleep in an abandoned wooden boat on the beach. He will try to make this seem normal. Every day he has to try to make what happens to them appear nothing out of the ordinary. As if he still has all the magician's tricks of a father. As if he still has the power to keep her from harm. ~ Glenn Haybittle

He looked like a child who had been slightly misdelivered, with some subpar forceps handling by the attending. ~ Lev Grossman

I learned a lot that night. For example, that part of being the magician's assistant means coming face-to-face with illusion. That invisibility is really just knotting your body in a certain way and letting the black curtain fall over you. That people don't vanish into thin air; that when you can't find someone, it's because you've been misdirected to look elsewhere. ~ Jodi Picoult

People and land, they're the same, his father used to say. Neglect one and the other suffers eventually. ~ Trudi Canavan

Being the executive producer of a film is not that difficult. It just means that you have some power. There's not a huge amount of skill involved, I don't know how much I'm giving away here. I feel like that guy on Fox, giving away the magicians' tricks. It's not rocket science, being an executive producer of a film. ~ Craig Ferguson

Imagine a world where speaking or writing words can literally or directly make things happen, where getting one of those words wrong can wreak unbelievable havoc, but where the right spell you can summon immensely powerful agencies to work your will. Imagine further that this world is administered: there is an extensive division of labour, among the magicians themselves and between the magicians and those who coordinate their activity. It's bureaucratic, and also (therefore) chaotic, and it's full of people at desks muttering curses and writing invocations, all beavering away at a small part of the big picture. The coordinators, because they don't understand what's going on, are easy prey for smooth-talking preachers of bizarre cults that demand arbitrary sacrifices and vanish with large amounts of money. Welcome to the IT department. ~ Ken MacLeod

In the first ages they were wise men; in the middle age, madmen; in these latter ages, cunning men: in the earliest time they were honest; in the
middle time, rogues; in these last times, fools: at first they dealt with nature; then with the Devil; and now not with the Devil, or with nature either: in the first ages the magicians were wiser than the people; in the second age, wickeder than the people; and in our age, the people are both wiser and wickeder than the magicians. ~ Daniel Defoe

The human being does not hop out of the magician's hat in the way that the ape climbs down from the tree; he also does not emerge from the hand of a creator who surveys everything in advance with his foreknowledge. He is the product of a production that is not itself a human being. The human being was not yet what he would become before he became it. ~ Peter Sloterdijk

That romance is nowhere as vividly encapsulated as in that moment when a pile of hard, almost odorless gray-green seeds is suddenly and magically transformed into the fragrant vehicle of our dreams, reveries, and conversation. To be the magicians waving the wand of transformation makes that metamorphosis all the more stirring and resonant. ~ Kenneth Davids

According to the traditional philosophy of the Magicians, every man is a unique autonomous center of individual consciousness, energy, and will - a soul, in a word. Like a star shining and existing by its own inward light, it pursues its way in the star-spangled heavens, solitary, uninterfered with, except in so far as its heavenly course is gravitationally modified by the presence, near or far, of other stars. Since in the vast stellar spaces seldom are there conflicts between the celestial bodies, unless one happens to stray from its appointed course - a very rare occurrence - so in the realms of humankind there would lie no chaos, little conflict, and no mutual disturbance were each individual content to be grounded in the reality of his own high consciousness, aware of his ideal nature In the his true purpose in life, and eager to pursue the road which he must follow. Because men have strayed from the dynamic sources inhering within themselves and the universe, and have forsaken their true spiritual wills, because they have divorced themselves from the celestial essences, betrayed by a mess of more sickly pottage than ever Jacob did sell to Esau, the world in this day presents a people with so hopeless an aspect, and a humanity impressed with so despondent a mien. Ignorance of the course of the celestial orbit, and the significance of that orbit inscribed in the skies forever, is the root which is at the bottom of universal dissatisfaction, unhappiness, and race-nostalgia ~ Israel Regardie

I can make you feel, and I can scare you for real.

-Misty Lee ~ Misty Lee

For jokes as well as justice come in with speech.
- Aslan, The Magician's Nephew ~ C.S. Lewis

In vain I warned other Arab leaders, those pleasure-seeking gluttons who only listen to the fawning and simpering of those who owe them favors. There was a full complement of them at Cairo, lined up like onions, spying on each other on the sly, half of them so conceited they could not stop behaving like constipated patriarchs, the other half too thick to be able to look serious. Arrivistes who thought they had really arrived, comic-opera presidents unable to shake off their country-bumpkin reflexes, petrodollar emirs looking like rabbits straight out of the magician's hat, sultans wrapped in their robes like ghosts, disgusted at the blathering eulogies the speakers were trotting out ad infinitum. Why were they there? They cared for nothing that did not concern their personal fortunes. Busy stuffing their pockets, they refused to look up to see how dizzyingly fast the world was changing or how tomorrow's storm clouds of hate were gathering on the horizon. ~ Yasmina Khadra

You two still establishing a pecking order?"
"Oh, it's clear who's at the top," Jayan said. "The lesser hordes need to sort out their own hierarchy. Are you enjoying being the prize they're fighting over?"
"Me?"
"Yes, you. I'm afraid female magicians have quite a reputation. My young, naïve subordinates are trying to work out if any of them stands a chance with you."
"A chance?" She turned and began picking fruit again. "Am I to expect a marriage proposal, or something much shallower?"
"Definitely shallower," he said. ~ Trudi Canavan

When Tessia and Jayan were served a large, fat rassook each, Jayan had smugly commented that Tessia certainly had a way with villagers and he would not be surprised if she could charm pickpockets into putting money into her wallet. ~ Trudi Canavan

Ive said its a little bit like a magician performing for a convention of magicians ... all the magicians in the audience watching this illusion-Do they see the illusion, or do they see the device that made the illusion? Probably they see a little of both. ~ Chuck Close

I think with The Magicians, the Harry Potter and Narnia influences are obviously there. ~ Hale Appleman

The moon was gone, but to the magician's eyes the unicorn was the moon, cold and white and very old, lighting his way to safety, or to madness. ~ Peter S. Beagle

Moses and Aaron were directed to visit the riverside next morning, where the king was accustomed to repair. The overflowing of the Nile being the source of food and wealth for all Egypt, the river was worshiped as a god, and the monarch came thither daily to pay his devotions. Here the two brothers again repeated the message to him, and then they stretched out the rod and smote upon the water. The sacred stream ran blood, the fish died, and the river became offensive to the smell. The water in the houses, the supply preserved in cisterns, was likewise changed to blood. But "the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments," and "Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also." For seven days the plague continued, but without effect. ~ Ellen G. White

Many people forget that magick is all about change, and the greatest change is the inner, not the outer, landscape. Outer magickal changes - such as immediately getting a new job, lover, or physical healing - seem more impressive at first, but the inner changes last longer. They are the most impressive. Anyone can learn to do some basic spells and have good results, but the practitioners who develop a solid spiritual and magickal practice become more centered, calm, healthy, and truly confident over time are the magicians who impress me. ~ Christopher Penczak

Alas," said Aslan, shaking his head. "It will. Things always work according to their nature. She has won her heart's desire; she has unwearying strength and endless days like a goddess. But length of days with an evil heart is only length of misery and already she begins to know it. All get what they want; they do not always like it. ~ C.S. Lewis

I came with many knots in my heart,
like the magician's rope.
You undid them all at once.
I see now the splendor of the student
and that of the teacher's art.
Love and this body sit inside your presence,
one demolished, the other drunk.
We smile. We weep, tree limbs
turning sere, then light green. ~ Rumi

I object to that remark very strongly!
- The Magician's Nephew ~ C.S. Lewis

The world never did help a smart girl. Why would it? We scare the shit out of the world. If the world goes after you, take it as a compliment. ~ The Magicians

It always seems easier to do nothing, when the harm is don elsewhere," Dakon said. "They know their young ones will either learn a lesson and limp home – or die and stop being a problem – or prove successful. The worst that could happen is a bit of a diplomatic hiccup in history. ~ Trudi Canavan

The right rumour in the right ears can kill the emperor, as they say. ~ Trudi Canavan

Philosophers are always trying to climb up the fine hairs of the fur in order to stare right into the magician's eyes. ~ Jostein Gaarder

Low and cold, Nick said, "Betray me."
Alan's head snapped up. "What?"
"Betray me," Nick said again, still in that terrible toneless demon's voice, hands clenching on the kitchen counter so hard Mae thought it would break. "Turn me over to the magicians, take the magic, do whatever you think you need to do, I do not care. But don't leave. ~ Sarah Rees Brennan

We have more in common than I thought, he mused wryly. He liked the idea that, if either of them ever fell from grace, the other might be there to offer support. It's always easier to become friends with someone you have something in common with. I just hope it doesn't take some socially disastrous fall before she'll consider the possibility I might be a friend. ~ Trudi Canavan

Best Witchcraft is Geometry
To the magician's mind -
His ordinary acts are feats
To thinking of mankind. ~ Emily Dickinson

That night, Kaz took Saskia's red ribbon from beneath his pillow. He rolled it into a neat spiral and clutched it in his palm. He lay in bed and tried to pray, but all he could think about was the magician's coin: there and then gone. ~ Leigh Bardugo

Newton was not the first of the age of reason. He was the last of the magicians, the last of the Babylonians and Sumerians, the last great mind that looked out on the visible and intellectual world with the same eyes as those who began to build our intellectual inheritance rather less than 10,000 years ago. ~ John Maynard Keynes

The idea of magic being something that is separate from everyday life – known to the magicians but not the ordinary people – still slows down our recognition that it is here, now, of the Earth and Universe, all around us, and perhaps most essentially, in us. ~ Mhairi Simon

I think The Magicians takes these conventional ideas from this Christian literature of good vs. evil and it sort of shakes it up and asks a deeper, darker question about the nature of not just humanity in the face of good vs. evil, but the challenges of everyday life. And I think there's something incredibly timely about that and incredibly relatable to anyone who's growing up. Because we're all growing up. We're all constantly evolving. ~ Hale Appleman

And she never could remember; and ever since that day what Lucy means by a good story is a story which reminds her of the forgotten story in the Magician's Book. ~ C.S. Lewis

What indeed is madness but the orgasm between consciousness and unconsciousness; yet today psychology has passed this chaotic union between mind and soul: it is taking form, and one day it will be brought to the bed of a new priesthood. Already have the heralds of the last illusion blazoned forth the coming of the magicians. Freud and Jung and a host of followers have invented psycho-analysis, which today is still pure black magic, the anatomization of the mind by thought potientized by theories in place of panticles, mantras and spells. ~ J. F. C. Fuller

A magician must always value his magic effects more than himself, because after few years audience may not remember his name but they will remember his magic effect. ~ Amit Kalantri

First rate magician perform first rate magic effects, second rate magician performs third rate magic effects. ~ Amit Kalantri

Your eyes, ears and mind are imperfect in front of magic. ~ Amit Kalantri

Foolishness, sir. How can old wounds heal while maggots linger so richly? Or a peace hold for ever built on slaughter and a magician's trickery? ~ Kazuo Ishiguro

Actors are insanely competitive and they hold back on each other. They are like magicians and none of them want to show their tricks. ~ David Ayer

Actors and magicians are both performers, and they represent things that are not necessarily who they are. ~ Steve Carell

It seems to be a requirement of great and powerful magicians that they live on public assistance. ~ Francis King

I only wish he had not married," said Mr. Norell fretfully. "Magicians have no business marrying. ~ Susanna Clarke

You can just go to a magic shop or magic builder and buy what most magicians do, but that's not what I'm about. With 'Mindfreak' on television and 'Believe' live, I want to bring things that people have never seen before. That process is very difficult. It's very challenging, and you never know how long it's going to take - months or years. ~ Criss Angel

Self-Professed Black Magicians seem universally unable to fight, fuck, or even buy their way out of wet paper bags, despite phantasizing constantly about becoming powerful psychopaths. ~ Peter J. Carroll

Uncle Andrew, you see, was working with things he did not really understand; most magicians are. ~ C.S. Lewis

Most magicians are afraid of magic. ~ Max Maven

I am a wizard," he muttered. "Magicians do parlor tricks. ~ Priya Ardis

A great piece of music make people to close their eyes but a great magic effect make their eyes wide open. ~ Amit Kalantri

I was always interested in enchantment and magicians and still am. ~ Christopher Lee

A few years back, they jacked David Copperfield in West Palm Beach, for Chrissake. Yes, it's funny: "Yo, empty your pockets," and he pulls out a bunny rabbit. But it's also depressing. If someone who can make himself disappear isn't safe, who is? ~ Colin Quinn

Great liars are also great magicians. ~ Adolf Hitler

Once, poets were magicians. Poets were strong, stronger than warriors or kings - stronger than old hapless gods. And they will be strong once again. ~ Greg Bear

Think like magician, present like magician and perform like magician. ~ Amit Kalantri

A great magician is not more magical than other magicians; he is just more magical in his presentation. ~ Amit Kalantri

That will teach me to meddle with magic meant for kings! Norrell is right. Some magic is not meant for ordinary magicians. Presumably John Uskglass knew what to do with this horrible knowledge. I do not. ~ Susanna Clarke

Every kid loves fairy tales, stories of witches and giants and magicians. Then, when you get a little older you can't read fairy tales anymore. ~ Stan Lee

Magicians guard an empty safe. ~ Jim Steinmeyer

Haven't you done enough for a lifetime? Think about it - two power - crazed magicians killed, a hundred power - crazed magicians saved ... ~ Jonathan Stroud

I know magicians and I know magic and I say this: all magicians lie and this one more than most. ~ Susanna Clarke

In a way, we are magicians. We are alchemists, sorcerers and wizards. We are a very strange bunch. But there is great fun in being a wizard. ~ Billy Joel

Just having a certain kind of attitude can be magic. ~ Matt Posner

A magician with decreasing practice sessions will give defective performances. ~ Amit Kalantri

Some magicians are rich, some are famous, some are stupidly good-looking.'
Jamie gave Nick a rather complicated look.
Nick raised an eyebrow. 'Some of us manage to be stupidly good-looking on our own. ~ Sarah Rees Brennan

Like every art form, there are jealousies and angers and competitiveness in magic. But there's camaraderie among magicians, whether you perform it for a living or you're an enthusiast. ~ Ricky Jay

Most magicians are nothing more than laymen with rabbits on their business cards ~ Darwin Ortiz

Then Mr. Norrell roused himself and took down five or six books in a great hurry and opened them up - presumably searching out those passages which were full of advice for magicians who wished to awaken dead young ladies. ~ Susanna Clarke

Hookers do tricks, magicians make magic. ~ Dick Christian

Dreams are great magicians. ~ Lucian Of Samosata

Never trust what your eyes see at a magician's home, Miss Twill. You know that. ~ Charlie N. Holmberg

General belief is "There is no real magic, only tricks" but a great magician compel people not to trust that belief and make them believe, after all "There does exist a real magic". ~ Amit Kalantri

It would be like Prospero's island, but in a good way: not a country of exile, a model world, safe and peaceful and private. A magician's land. ~ Lev Grossman

A writer's brain is like a magician's hat. If you're going to get anything out of it, you have to put something in it first ~ Louis L'Amour

I see murky visions of other gods and rival magic."
That REALLY didn't sound good.
"What do you mean?" I asked. "what OTHER GODS?"
"I don't know, Sadie. But Egypt has always faced challenges from outside –– magicians from elsewhere, even gods from elsewhere. Just be vigilant."

~Ruby & Sadie Kane about...? Possibly Greeks? ~ Rick Riordan

Artists are magicians and I definitely think John Lennon was a Wizard. ~ Yoko Ono

I'm a project manager, not a magician. Magicians have way cooler hats. ~ Merlin Mann

Magick comes in many forms, and there are many covert master magicians who are so covert that they don't even know they are magicians. ~ Christopher Penczak

Who has more pockets than a magician?
A boy.
Whose pockets contain *more* than a magicians?
A boy's. ~ Ray Bradbury

Magic has a spiritual element, and is considered very important and of value, and magicians have always been a little bit silly, so if you're going to portray a modern day magician, there's gotta be a little silliness. ~ Jon Turteltaub

You're one of life's magicians. You simply haven't realized it yet. ~ Menna Van Praag

An Enforcer's style is to destroy all magicians in sight and lap up their essence like a starved cur. ~ Lita Burke

Nobody who is a Penn & Teller fan thinks of us first and foremost as magicians, but as a comedy team. ~ Teller