Books Quote by Lee Siegel
““I'm writing a book on magic”, I explain, and I'm asked, “Real magic?” By real magic people mean miracles, thaumaturgical acts, and supernatural powers. “No”, I answer: “Conjuring tricks, not real magic”. Real magic, in other words, refers to the magic that is not real, while the magic that is real, that can actually be done, is not real magic.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, “Magic and the Mind”, 2005
The speaker distinguishes between illusionary magic performed as tricks and the concept of “real” magic as impossible supernatural feats, highlighting a paradoxical use of language.
In simple terms: Magic tricks are called real magic, but true supernatural magic isn’t real.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how language can invert meaning.
Themes
language
paradox
meaning
communication
Mood
playful
thoughtful
Type
aphilosophical
humorous
When to use this quote
- performance art
- magic shows
- philosophical debate
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
semantics
philosophy of language
illusion
Questions to Reflect On
- How does redefining “real” affect our perception of magic?
- What other concepts rely on similar linguistic inversions?
A Different Perspective
The joke relies on wordplay that may not translate without cultural context.
