“A river seems a magic thing. A magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself.”
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Laura Gilpin 1
Photographer 1891–1979Related quotes

What is Religion? (1893)
Context: What is it that passes for religion? In some countries magic passes for religion, and that is one thing I wish, in view particularly of the ethnic faiths, could be made very prominent— that religion is not magic. I am very sure that in many countries it is supposed to be so. You do something that will bring you good luck. It is for the interests of the priesthood to cherish that idea. Of course the idea of advantage in this life and in another life is very strong, and rightly very strong in all human breasts. Therefore, it is for the advantage of the priesthoods to make it to be supposed that they have in their possession certain tricks, certain charms, which will give you either some particular prosperity in this world or possibly the privilege of immortal happiness. Now, this is not religion. This is most mischievous irreligion, and I think this Parliament should say, once for all, that the name of God and the names of his saints are not things to conjure with.

Source: Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, To Green Angel Tower (1993), Part 1, Chapter 20, “Travelers and Messengers” (p. 636).

“Ancient magic was the very foundation of religion.”
Source: The Golden Bough (1890), Chapter 4, Magic and Religion

“Mischief moves somewhere near and I must blast it with my magic!”
Source: Dying Earth (1950-1984), The Dying Earth (1950), Chapter 1, "Turjan of Miir"