The Magician Quotes

“Yet magic is no more the art of employing consciously invisible means to produce visible effects. Will, love, and imagination are magic powers that everyone possesses; and whoever knows how to develop them to their fullest extent is a magician. Magic has but one dogma, namely, that the seen is the measure of the unseen.”
― W. Somerset Maugham, The Magician

“One of my cherished ideas is that it is impossible to love without imagination”
― W. Somerset Maugham, The Magician

“The Magus,the sorcerer, the alchemist, are seized with the fascination of the unknown; and they desire a greatness that is inaccessible to mankind.”
― Somerset Maugham, The Magician

“He was very tall, very thin, very fair. He wore a very high collar and very long hair, and held himself like an exhausted lily.”
― William Somerset Maugham, The Magician

“Clayson had a vinous nose and a tedious habit of saying brilliant things.”
― W. Somerset Maugham, The Magician

“He seemed to have a positive instinct for operating, and his hand and his brain worked in a manner that appeared almost automatic. He never hesitated, and he had no fear of failure.”
― W. Somerset Maugham, The Magician

“Dr Porhoët knew that a diversity of interests, though it adds charm to a man’s personality, tends to weaken him. To excel one’s fellows it is needful to be circumscribed.”
― W. Somerset Maugham, The Magician

“If a wise man studies the science of the occult, his duty is not to laugh at everything, but to seek patiently, slowly, perseveringly, the truth that may be concealed in the night of these illusions.”
― W. Somerset Maugham, The Magician

“If my eyes show me what all my training assures me is impossible, I can only conclude that my eyes deceive me.”
― W. Somerset Maugham, The Magician

“Do not pay any attention to that gentleman. His morals are detestable, and he seeks only to lead you from the narrow path of virtue.”
― W. Somerset Maugham, The Magician

“Dr. Porhoët knew that a diversity of interests, though it adds charm to a man's personality, tends to weaken him. To excel one's fellows it is needful to be circumscribed. He did not regret, therefore, that Arthur in many ways was narrow,”
― W. Somerset Maugham, The Magician

“She had asked if he was good-looking. 'No, I don't think he is,' answered Margaret, 'but he's very paintable.' 'That is an answer which has the advantage of sounding well and meaning nothing,' smiled Susie. She”
― W. Somerset Maugham, The Magician

“He was no longer the awkward man of social intercourse, who was sufficiently conscious of his limitations not to talk of what he did not understand, and sincere enough not to express admiration for what he did not like.”
― W. Somerset Maugham, The Magician

“She had learnt long ago that common sense, intelligence, good-nature, and strength of character were unimportant in comparison with a pretty face.”
― W. Somerset Maugham, The Magician