When a magician lets you notice something on your own, his lie becomes impenetrable.
TellerRead
The silent thing onstage allows for a kind of intimacy that no conversation can have. If I just shut up, we're forced to look at each other and really confront that moment.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Silence can create a deeper connection and understanding between people than words can.
In this quote, Teller emphasizes the power of silence in communication and performance. He suggests that when words are absent, individuals are compelled to engage more profoundly, fostering a unique intimacy that transcends verbal dialogue. This evokes a moment where the audience and performer confront each other authentically, highlighting the significance of non-verbal communication in creating meaningful connections.
Themes
SilenceIntimacyConnectionCommunicationPerformance
In practice
Example use cases
In a theater discussion about the impact of silence in performances.
More from Teller
All quotes →People do not come to a Penn & Teller show to see a magic show. They just don't. They come to see weird stuff that they can see no place else, that will make them laugh and make the little hairs stand up on the backs of their necks.
TellerRead
Sometimes, magic is just someone spending more time on something than anyone else might reasonably expect.
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