Harry Houdini

My professional life has been a constant record of disillusion, and many things that seem wonderful to most men are the every-day commonplaces of my business.

I have made compacts with fourteen different persons that whichever of us died first would communicate with the other if it were possible, but I have never received a word.

I make the most money, I think, in Russia and Paris, for the people of those countries are so willing to be amused, so eager to see something new and out of the ordinary.

It is not unusual for the eye or ear to play tricks with one, but when such illusions and delusions are taken for the Spirit forms of the departed and voices of the dead instead of being recognized as some subjective phenomena brought about by a physical cause, the situation takes on a grave aspect.

But then, so far as I know, I am the only performer who ever pledged his assistants to secrecy, honor and allegiance under a notarial oath.

How the early priests came into possession of these secrets does not appear, and if there were ever any records of this kind the Church would hardly allow them to become public.

It is still an open question, however, as to what extent exposure really injures a performer.

I am a great admirer of mystery and magic. Look at this life - all mystery and magic.

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.

The eating of burning brimstone is an entirely fake performance.

It is needless to say that women make the most patient as well as the most dangerous pickpockets.

The pickpocket is usually very well dressed and of prepossessing appearance.