“We ought to be very cautious in the prosecution of magic and heresy. The attempt to put down these two crimes may be extremely perilous to liberty, and may be the origin of a number of petty acts of tyranny if the legislator be not on his guard; for as such an accusation does not bear directly on the overt acts of a citizen, but refers to the idea we entertain of his character.” IfsMayDoeTwoIdeasCharacterLawReligionIndividualJusticeNumbersLibertyMagicCrimeBearsOughtCitizensConscienceTyrannyPersecutionPettyCautiousHeresyLegislatorsAccusationIndividual RightsProsecution Author:Baron de Montesquieu
“Magic is that which it is; it is by itself, like the mathematics; for it is the exact and absolute science of Nature and its laws . Magic is the science of the Ancient Magi: and the Christian religion, which has imposed silence on the lying oracles, and put an end to the prestiges of the false Gods , itself reveres those Magi who came from the East, guided by a Star , to adore the Saviour of the world in His cradle.” WorldEndsChristianLawLyingStarsSilenceMagicAbsolutesMathematicsAncientEastAdoreCradleSaviourPrestigeOraclesFalse Gods Book:Morals and Dogma Source: Morals and Dogma
“Poetry interprets in two ways: it interprets by expressing, with magical felicity, the physiognomy and movements of the outward world; and it interprets by expressing, with inspired conviction, the ideas and laws of the inward world of man's moral and spiritual nature. In other words, poetry is interpretative both by having natural magic in it, and by having moral profundity.” MenWorldWayTwoIdeasSpiritualLawPoetryNaturalMoralMagicMovementInspiredConvictionPoetry IsInwardTwo WaysFelicityProfunditySpiritual NaturePhysiognomy Book:Essays in Criticism Source: Essays in Criticism