--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You have to be very specific when it…" description: "\"“You have to be very specific when it comes to magic,” A-Through-L said sheepishly. “You must say things as carefully as you can. Magic is like a machi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/catherynne-m-valente-375_magic_you-have-to-be-very-specific-when-it-com_2399493.jpg" --- # You have to be very specific when it comes to magic,”… ![“You have to be very specific when it comes to magic,” A-Through-L said sheepishly. “You must say things as carefully as you can. Magic is like a machine that only does exactly what you tell it to do. So you have to speak to it in a way it can understand. And magic only understands you if you spell…” quote by Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/catherynne-m-valente-375_magic_you-have-to-be-very-specific-when-it-com_2399493.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/catherynne-m-valente-375_magic_you-have-to-be-very-specific-when-it-com_2399493.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/catherynne-m-valente-375_magic_you-have-to-be-very-specific-when-it-com_2399493.jpg) > ““You have to be very specific when it comes to magic,” A-Through-L said sheepishly. “You must say things as carefully as you can. Magic is like a machine that only does exactly what you tell it to do. So you have to speak to it in a way it can understand. And magic only understands you if you spell it out slowly. And use small words. You didn’t tell the card which Prince or how quickly you wanted to go. For all we know this is the shortest path—or it thought you meant our fragrant friend here! Or perhaps the Alleyman is some sort of Prince, too. The word Prince is very open-ended. You can’t really trust anything that far down in the alphabet.”” [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Magic requires precise, simple language; vague or complex wording leads to unintended outcomes. **In simple terms:** Speak clearly to magic. Key Takeaway Use exact, simple words. Themes precision communication intentionality magic Mood cautious instructive Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - rituals - creative writing - problem solving - teaching Key Concepts language specificity spellcasting clarity Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure clarity in instructions? - What simple words convey deep meaning? 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