No prison can hold me; no hand or leg irons or steel locks can shackle me. No ropes or chains can keep me from my freedom.

A magician is only an actor - an actor pretending to be a magician.

I think that in a year I may retire. I cannot take my money with me when I die and I wish to enjoy it, with my family, while I live. I should prefer living in Germany to any other country, though I am an American, and am loyal to my country.

To cause the face to appear in a mass of flame make use of the following: mix together thoroughly petroleum, lard, mutton tallow and quick lime. Distill this over a charcoal fire, and the liquid which results can be burned on the face without harm.

What the eyes sees, the ear hears, and the mind believes.

The secret of showmanship consists not of what you really do, but what the mystery-loving public thinks you do.

Anyone who believes in magic is a fool.