Alchemist Quote by Cyril Connolly
“It is significant comment on the victory of science over magic that were someone to say ‘if I put this pill in your beer it will explode,’ we might believe them; but were they to cry ‘if I pronounce this spell over your beer it will go flat,’ we should remain incredulous and Paracelsus, the Alchemists, Aleister Crowley and all the Magi have lived in vain. Yet when I read science I turn magical; when I study magic, scientific.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Book of the Dead, Cyril Connolly, 1976
Science and magic are treated differently; claims of science are trusted, while magical claims are dismissed, yet both influence each other.
In simple terms: Science is trusted, magic is doubted, yet both affect us.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about science and magic.
Themes
skepticism
knowledge
influence
Mood
curious
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
analytical
thought‑provoking
When to use this quote
- reading scientific articles
- practicing rituals
- teaching
- debating
- media consumption
Key Concepts
epistemology
paradox
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you evaluate extraordinary claims?
- When does skepticism hinder curiosity?
A Different Perspective
Science can be as magical as magic, and vice versa, blurring boundaries.
![“It really makes little difference in the long run whether The Book of the Law was dictated to [Crowley] by preterhuman intelligence named Aiwass or whether it stemmed from the creative deeps of Aleister Crowley. The book was written. And he became the mouthpiece for the Zeitgeist, accurately…” quote by Israel Regardie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c24/israel-regardie-53757_book_it-really-makes-little-difference-in-the_1937685.jpg)
