The devil can quote Scripture to suit his purpose.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

An impressive or sacred quotation can be used to support a purpose its words do not fairly justify. The devil’s quotation warns against relying on authority alone, without making every use of Scripture insincere.

What the words are saying

The proverb gives a troubling speaker access to respected words, separating the quotation’s standing from the purpose for which it is used. A useful reading examines the claim being made, what surrounds the quoted passage and whether the proposed conclusion follows. Accurate wording can still be selectively chosen or applied misleadingly. This does not dismiss the value of Scripture or make religious speakers inherently suspect. Nor does the image establish a supernatural event. Its practical question is how a quotation is functioning in the argument, with attention to context rather than an assumption that the prestige of the words settles the matter.

Everyday example

A discussion leader asks participants to read the surrounding passage before accepting a quoted sentence as a complete answer to the question being debated.

When to use it

Use it when a respected quotation is being treated as sufficient authority for an unsupported conclusion.

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