Question(39):

What is meant by subtleness in your saying, “Magic is everything that is subtle and whose cause is hidden”?

Answer:

Subtleness means something subtle and hidden, and its contrary is something great, big, and obvious. For example, the magician does something that attracts the friendship of the enchanted so that he becomes greatly devoted to him. Or that he does something that alienates the enchanted in order that the latter vehemently hates him. Although, the enchanted, who was overtaken by great attraction, or immense alienation, is not aware of this and its cause is hidden to him.

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