Houdini

Escape artist, debunked mediums

Contemporary weird famous 114 sayings

Sayings by Houdini

Look at this life – all mystery and magic.

Early 20th century — General reflection on life and his perception of it.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Anyone who believes in magic is a fool.

Early 20th century — On his view of genuine magic versus illusion.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Early 20th century — Practical, slightly bizarre advice on performing dangerous feats.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Early 20th century — Insightful observation on perception and honesty, particularly with children.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I do not believe that ghosts or spirits exist.

Early 20th century — Statement on his skepticism regarding the supernatural.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

My chief task has been to conquer fear.

Early 20th century — Personal reflection on his motivation and the mental aspect of his stunts.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

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

Early 20th century — Provocative statement on the nature of magic and science.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

They do tricks even I can't figure out.

Early 20th century — Admission of being stumped by other performers, rare for him.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A magician is only an actor – an actor pretending to be a magician.

Early 20th century — Self-aware definition of his profession.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Early 20th century — Observation from his work exposing con artists and criminals.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Early 20th century — Specific, somewhat controversial observation from his study of crime.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The eating of burning brimstone is an entirely fake performance.

Early 20th century — Exposing a specific 'miracle' trick.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

1926 — Reported last words to his brother, Theodore 'Dash' Hardeen, before his death.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Rosabelle – answer – tell – pray, answer – look – tell – answer, answer – tell.

1926 — The secret code he arranged with his wife Bess to communicate from the afterlife, if possible.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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.

Early 20th century — Description of his mental and physical process to overcome pain during escapes.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Early 20th century — Humorous reflection on his early life and career start.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Some say I do it this way, others say I do it that way, but I say I do it the other way.

Early 20th century — Cryptic statement about his unique methods and misdirection.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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.

Early 20th century — His philosophical and scientific approach to believing in the supernatural.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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.

Early 20th century — Technical advice on performing a fire-eating trick.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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.

Early 20th century — Melancholic reflection on the nature of his work and the loss of wonder.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable