Forget this world and all its troubles and if possible its multitudinous Charlatans — everything in short but the Enchantress of Numbers. - Allan G Bromley

One of the most singular characteristics of the art of deciphering is the strong conviction possessed by every person, even moderately acquainted with it, that he is able to construct a cipher which nobody else can decipher. I have also observed that the cleverer the person, the more intimate is his conviction.

occupation of the mind is such a source of pleasure that it can relieve even the pain of a headache;

If I played any of the ordinary openings, such as are found in the books, I was sure to be beaten. The only way in which I had a chance of winning, was by making early in the game a move so bad that it had not been mentioned in any treatise.