Houdini

Escape artist, debunked mediums

Contemporary weird famous 114 sayings

Sayings by Houdini

It is better to be a good escape artist than a poor magician.

1915 — Advice to aspiring magicians
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.

1912 — Paraphrasing Oscar Wilde in personal notes
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have escaped from more jails than any man alive.

1910 — Boast during tour
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Death is the greatest mystery of all, and I intend to solve it.

1925 — Comment on his spiritualism investigations
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

My mind is my strongest muscle.

1918 — Training advice
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I can escape from anything except my own reputation.

1920 — Remark to friend
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The public is my only judge; I care not for the opinions of magicians.

1909 — Response to magic community criticism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have cheated death many times, but death will cheat me in the end.

1926 — Philosophical reflection
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A magician is just an actor playing the part of a magician.

1919 — From his writings on performance
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have been buried alive and lived to tell about it—but just barely.

1915 — After failed buried alive stunt
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The hand is quicker than the eye only when the eye is not paying attention.

1912 — Explanation of magic principles
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I would walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play before a paying audience.

1920 — Remark about his dedication
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Fear is the real prison.

1917 — From his escape act philosophy
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The human mind is a wonderful thing. It can make you believe anything.

early 20th century — Likely from a discussion about illusion or spiritualism.
Humorous Unverifiable