This is a quote from Charles Bertram that I\'d thought I would share (just for the heck of it):

That famous French conjurer Robert Houdin was once asked by what trick he judged a conjurer’s ability. He replied that he should not estimate his cleverness by the execution of any particular trick, but rather by the manner in which he got out of a difficulty. No doubt Houdin was right, for nothing requires more nerve and adroitness than to gloss over an accident, bring about a result of some plausible sort, and beat a creditable retreat from an awkward position.