--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Magic: (n) The art of converting…" description: "\"Magic: (n) The art of converting superstition into coin.\" — Ambrose Bierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/ambrose-bierce-140_art_magic-n-the-art-of-converting-superstiti_3024206.jpg" --- # Magic: (n) The art of converting superstition into coin. ![“Magic: (n) The art of converting superstition into coin.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/ambrose-bierce-140_art_magic-n-the-art-of-converting-superstiti_3024206.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/ambrose-bierce-140_art_magic-n-the-art-of-converting-superstiti_3024206.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/ambrose-bierce-140_art_magic-n-the-art-of-converting-superstiti_3024206.jpg) > “Magic: (n) The art of converting superstition into coin.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Magic is defined as the commercial exploitation of superstition, turning belief into profit. **In simple terms:** Magic = turning superstition into money. Key Takeaway Beware of profit‑driven mysticism. Themes satire economics culture Mood cynical wry Type satirical critical When to use this quote - marketing - tourism - entertainment industry Key Concepts commercialization belief exploitation skepticism Questions to Reflect On - How does commercialization affect belief? - What safeguards protect cultural practices? A Different Perspective Profit motives can corrupt authenticity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Coin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coin/) [Coins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coins/) [Converting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/converting/) [Converting Superstition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/converting-superstition-2680181/) [Magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magic/) [Magic Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magic-art-767620/) [Superstition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstition/) [Superstition Coin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstition-coin-2680180/) [Superstitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstitions/) ## Related quotes > [MAGIC, n. An art of converting superstition into coin. There are other arts serving the same high purpose, but the discreet lexicographer does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/magic-n-an-art-of-converting-superstition-into-coin-there-are-other/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Advice, the smallest current coin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/advice-the-smallest-current-coin/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [I've got a coin with my face on it. It is really bizarre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-gillan/i-ve-got-a-coin-with-my-face-on-it-it-is-really-bizarre/) [Karen Gillan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-gillan/) > [Flip a coin. When it's in the air, you'll know which side you're hoping for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-rothstein/flip-a-coin-when-it-s-in-the-air-you-ll-know-which-side-you-re-hoping/) [Arnold Rothstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-rothstein/) > [Learning, like money, may be of so base a coin as to be utterly void of use; or, if sterling, may require good management…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shenstone/learning-like-money-may-be-of-so-base-a-coin-as-to-be-utterly-void-of/) [William Shenstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shenstone/) > [Time is the coin of your life. You spend it. Do not allow others to spend it for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sandburg/time-is-the-coin-of-your-life-you-spend-it-do-not-allow-others-to/) [Carl Sandburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sandburg/) > [The difference between science and the arts is not that they are different sides of the same coin… or even different parts of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-jemison/the-difference-between-science-and-the-arts-is-not-that-they-are/) [Mae Jemison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-jemison/) > [I got here the same way the coin did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/i-got-here-the-same-way-the-coin-did/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [I am accustomed to pay men back in their own coin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/i-am-accustomed-to-pay-men-back-in-their-own-coin/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [If the day comes when you would find me again, give that coin to any man from Braavos, and say these words to him--valar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin-2/if-the-day-comes-when-you-would-find-me-again-give-that-coin-to-any/) [George R. 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A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanette-winterson/don-t-you-think-it-s-strange-that-life-described-as-so-rich-and-full/) [Jeanette Winterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanette-winterson/) > [Melancholy and utopia are heads and tails of the same coin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunter-grass/melancholy-and-utopia-are-heads-and-tails-of-the-same-coin/) [Gunter Grass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunter-grass/) > [“Spare a copper for our cause?" the girl with the coin cup asks, her voice weary. "I can spare more than that," I say.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/spare-a-copper-for-our-cause-the-girl-with-the-coin-cup-asks-her/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [Money is made at Christmas out of holly and mistletoe, but who save the vendors would greatly care if no green branch were procurable?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-gissing/money-is-made-at-christmas-out-of-holly-and-mistletoe-but-who-save/) [George Gissing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-gissing/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. 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