Be True to Thyself!

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Is it okay to exploit stupid people?

Be True to Thyself!

They say to the seers,
"See no more visions!"
and to the prophets,
"Give us no more visions of what is right!
Tell us pleasant things,
prophesy illusions.
- Isaiah 30:10

By yourself; don't be pretentious. Don't claim paranormal or supernatural abilities; it's counterproductive to your performance. Keep in mind Houdini's campaign against unscrupulous exploitation of the uneducated or gullible, before you claim any special abilities of your own. I've found that people are already amazed at magical effects without anyone lying to them. If you really believe you have psychic abilities then I can't really help (I'm not sure anyone can really help you actually). If you jokingly suggest that you have supernatural gifts, then show that you meant it as a good-natured lie.

Magic is meant to entertaining, not self-serving. If you claim to have incredible, preternatural abilities, then people will be in awe (falsely) of you, rather than of the effect that you do. After all, which would you rather have people respect you for, fake supernatural abilities that you obviously don't have, or the incredible dexterity and skills at which you've labored for many years?

   

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