One must sometimes hold a candle to the devil.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

Practical circumstances may require limited accommodation with something a person dislikes. Holding a candle to the devil represents reluctant assistance, but the saying does not make every compromise acceptable.

What the words are saying

A candle helps another figure see or act, so holding it supplies a small but real form of assistance. Giving that help to the devil makes the cooperation morally uncomfortable. The proverb can describe a compromise made to navigate a difficult setting rather than achieve an ideal arrangement immediately. Its danger is that necessity can be invoked too easily. A useful application asks what the accommodation enables, who bears its cost and whether a less harmful alternative exists. Reluctance alone does not make assistance harmless. Some boundaries should remain firm even when cooperation would be convenient.

Everyday example

A group uses an imperfect booking process for one event while insisting that its essential access requirements still be met.

When to use it

Use it to examine a reluctant and limited practical compromise.

Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.