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Devil Quote by Arturo Pérez-Reverte

“And which devil do you prefer? Dante's?" "No. Much too terrifying. Too medieval for my taste." "Mephistopheles?" "Not him, either. He's too pleased with himself. Too much a trickster, like a crooked lawyer ... Anyway, I never trust people who smile a lot." "What about the one in The Karamazovs?"…” quote by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
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““And which devil do you prefer? Dante's?" "No. Much too terrifying. Too medieval for my taste." "Mephistopheles?" "Not him, either. He's too pleased with himself. Too much a trickster, like a crooked lawyer ... Anyway, I never trust people who smile a lot." "What about the one in The Karamazovs?" "Petty. A civil servant with dirty nails. I suppose the devil I prefer is Milton's fallen angel.””

Arturo Pérez-Reverte

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Club Dumas, Arturo Pérez‑Reverte, 1993

He critiques various depictions of the devil, preferring Milton’s fallen angel over other literary versions.

In simple terms: He dislikes many devil characters and likes Milton’s version best.

Key Takeaway

Choose role models that align with your values.

Themes

literature myth character analysis personal preference

Mood

skeptical analytical

Type

literary critical

When to use this quote

  • reading clubs
  • creative writing
  • film criticism
  • psychology discussions

Key Concepts

symbolism ethical judgment

Questions to Reflect On

  • Which literary devil resonates most with you?
  • Why do you distrust overly cheerful people?
A Different Perspective

Preference is subjective; no single depiction captures the devil’s complexity.

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