Women know the way to rear up children (to be just). They know a simple, merry, tender knack of tying sashes, fitting baby-shoes, and stringing pretty words that make no sense. And kissing full sense into empty words.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead
The devil's most devilish when respectable.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Evil can often disguise itself in a cloak of respectability, making it harder to recognize.
This quote by Elizabeth Barrett Browning suggests that the most dangerous forms of evil are those that present themselves as respectable or benign. It implies that when we perceive something as respectable, we may overlook its darker nature, leading to a false sense of security and allowing malevolent forces to operate without scrutiny.
Themes
EvilRespectabilityDeceptionAppearanceDanger
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about morality, one might say, 'Remember, the devil's most devilish when respectable.'
More from Elizabeth Barrett Browning
All quotes →She has seen the mystery hid Under Egypt's pyramid: By those eyelids pale and close Now she knows what Rhamses knows.
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First time he kissed me, he but only kissed The fingers of this hand wherewith I write; And, ever since, it grew more clean and white.
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Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God: But only he who sees takes off his shoes.
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Our Euripides the human, With his droppings of warm tears, and his touchings of things common Till they rose to meet the spheres.
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Love me sweet With all thou art Feeling, thinking, seeing; Love me in the Lightest part, Love me in full Being.
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