--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It takes a man to make a devil; and the…" description: "\"It takes a man to make a devil; and the fittest man for such a purpose is a snarling, waspish, red-hot, fiery creditor.\" — Henry Ward Beecher" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/720/henry-ward-beecher-175_creditors_it-takes-a-man-to-make-a-devil-and-the-f_1981032.png" --- # It takes a man to make a devil; and the fittest man for… ![“It takes a man to make a devil; and the fittest man for such a purpose is a snarling, waspish, red-hot, fiery creditor.” quote by Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/720/henry-ward-beecher-175_creditors_it-takes-a-man-to-make-a-devil-and-the-f_1981032.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/720/henry-ward-beecher-175_creditors_it-takes-a-man-to-make-a-devil-and-the-f_1981032.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/720/henry-ward-beecher-175_creditors_it-takes-a-man-to-make-a-devil-and-the-f_1981032.png) > “It takes a man to make a devil; and the fittest man for such a purpose is a snarling, waspish, red-hot, fiery creditor.” [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A man who exploits others can become a devil, especially when driven by ruthless, profit‑focused greed. **In simple terms:** Greedy men become devilish. Key Takeaway Beware of profit‑driven exploitation. Themes ethics greed power Mood critical serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - business negotiations - loan sharking - political lobbying Key Concepts Capitalism morality corruption Questions to Reflect On - How does profit motive affect moral choices? - When is aggressive business justified? A Different Perspective Not all aggressive financiers are evil; context matters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Creditors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creditors/) [Devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Fiery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiery/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Red](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/red/) ## Related quotes > [It takes a man to make a devil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/it-takes-a-man-to-make-a-devil/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [My grandfather made films on God, I make it on the devil, so, I wonder what he would say if he was alive. He'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-rohit-shetty/my-grandfather-made-films-on-god-i-make-it-on-the-devil-so-i-wonder/) Vikram Rohit Shetty > [We headed to hell for heaven sakes, well Imma levitate...make the devil wait.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/we-headed-to-hell-for-heaven-sakes-well-imma-levitate-make-the-devil/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [The Devil doesn't make us do anything. The Devil, for example, doesn't make us mean. Rather, when we're mean, we make the Devil. Literally.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-devil-doesn-t-make-us-do-anything-the-devil-for-example-doesn-t/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [These days, the wages of sin depend on what kind of deal you make with the devil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kara-vichko/these-days-the-wages-of-sin-depend-on-what-kind-of-deal-you-make-with/) Kara Vichko > [Hey dont down yourself, it doesn't make anything better but make the devil laugh at you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dub-tepper/hey-dont-down-yourself-it-doesn-t-make-anything-better-but-make-the/) DUB$TEPPER > [“If God made everything, did He make the Devil?' This is the kind of embarrassing question which any child can ask before breakfast, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/if-god-made-everything-did-he-make-the-devil-this-is-the-kind-of/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [Make the devil work hard for you, an not you working hard for the devil. Make the devil question himself about you!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-j-cowell/make-the-devil-work-hard-for-you-an-not-you-working-hard-for-the/) [Larry J Cowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-j-cowell/) > [I'm so hot I make the devil sweat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libby-adams/i-m-so-hot-i-make-the-devil-sweat/) Libby Adams > [Make the devil nightmares come true an Praise God an share the love of our Saviour Jesus Christ!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-j-cowell/make-the-devil-nightmares-come-true-an-praise-god-an-share-the-love/) [Larry J Cowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-j-cowell/) > [If you meditate and the Devil comes, make the Devil meditate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-i-gurdjieff/if-you-meditate-and-the-devil-comes-make-the-devil-meditate/) [G. I. Gurdjieff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-i-gurdjieff/) > [“And there was nothing quite like the surprise attack of a snarling black bear, even one missing all forty-two teeth, to urge someone back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-alpaugh/and-there-was-nothing-quite-like-the-surprise-attack-of-a-snarling/) [Cole Alpaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-alpaugh/) > [There are two brands of discontent: the brand that merely fosters greed and snarling and back-biting, and the brand that inspires greater and greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/there-are-two-brands-of-discontent-the-brand-that-merely-fosters/) [B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/) > [“It’s just taking some getting used to. The snarling, the hissing, the purring. Then I have to deal with it from the baby….” “Ha,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelly-laurenston/it-s-just-taking-some-getting-used-to-the-snarling-the-hissing-the/) [Shelly Laurenston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelly-laurenston/) > [Immediately upon entering the weighing-in zone, I sensed an oppressive tension in the air, the lightweights staring and glaring at each other, snarling like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/immediately-upon-entering-the-weighing-in-zone-i-sensed-an-oppressive/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) ## More by Henry Ward Beecher > [Astronomers have built telescopes which can show myriads of stars unseen before; but when a man looks through a tear in his own eye,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/astronomers-have-built-telescopes-which-can-show-myriads-of-stars/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [A lie always needs a truth for a handle to it. The worst lies are those whose blade is false, but whose handle is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/a-lie-always-needs-a-truth-for-a-handle-to-it-the-worst-lies-are/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/miracles-are-like-candles-lit-up-until-the-sun-rises-and-then-blown/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Even a liar tells a hundred truths to one lie; he has to, to make the lie good for anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/even-a-liar-tells-a-hundred-truths-to-one-lie-he-has-to-to-make-the/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Laws are not masters but servants, and he rules them who obey them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/laws-are-not-masters-but-servants-and-he-rules-them-who-obey-them/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Our sweetest experiences of affection are meant to be suggestions of that realm which is the home of the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/our-sweetest-experiences-of-affection-are-meant-to-be-suggestions-of/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [In America there is not one single element of civilization that is not made to depend, in the end, upon public opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/in-america-there-is-not-one-single-element-of-civilization-that-is/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [The best lessons a man ever learns are from his mistakes. It is not for want of schoolmasters that we are still ignorant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/the-best-lessons-a-man-ever-learns-are-from-his-mistakes-it-is-not/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [I never knew an early-rising, hard-working, prudent man, careful of his earnings, and strictly honest who complained of bad luck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/i-never-knew-an-early-rising-hard-working-prudent-man-careful-of-his/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [THERE are joys which long to be ours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/there-are-joys-which-long-to-be-ours/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [People may talk about the equality of the sexes! They are not equal. The silent smile of a sensible, loving woman will vanquish ten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/people-may-talk-about-the-equality-of-the-sexes-they-are-not-equal/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Mirthfulness is in the mind and you cannot get it out. It is just as good in its place as conscience or veneration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/mirthfulness-is-in-the-mind-and-you-cannot-get-it-out-it-is-just-as/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Mirth is God's medicine. Everybody ought to bathe in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/mirth-is-god-s-medicine-everybody-ought-to-bathe-in-it/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Some of God's noblest sons, I think, will be selected from those that know how to take wealth, with all its temptations, and maintain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/some-of-god-s-noblest-sons-i-think-will-be-selected-from-those-that/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [You have seen a ship out on the bay, swinging with the tide, and seeming as if it would follow it; and yet it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/you-have-seen-a-ship-out-on-the-bay-swinging-with-the-tide-and/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) [Explore all 990 Henry Ward Beecher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) ## More Creditors quotes > [Much of what Germany and France have done in the rescue of Greece has also helped German and French banks, who for a long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-monti/much-of-what-germany-and-france-have-done-in-the-rescue-of-greece-has/) [Mario Monti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-monti/) > [Faith is like private capital, stored in one's own house. It is like a public savings bank or loan office, from which individuals receive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/faith-is-like-private-capital-stored-in-one-s-own-house-it-is-like-a/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Africa is poor because its investors and its creditors are unspeakably rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-klein/africa-is-poor-because-its-investors-and-its-creditors-are/) [Naomi Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-klein/) > [The man who avoids debt doesn't have to worry about avoiding his creditors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/the-man-who-avoids-debt-doesn-t-have-to-worry-about-avoiding-his/) [Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/) > [The creditor whose appearance gladdens the heart of a debtor may hold his head in sunbeams and his foot on storms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/the-creditor-whose-appearance-gladdens-the-heart-of-a-debtor-may-hold/) [Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/) > [Ah, fortune and fame shall follow me ... and I shall dwell in the world of the chosen for a few moments of fleeting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/ah-fortune-and-fame-shall-follow-me-and-i-shall-dwell-in-the-world-of/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [The aim of New Deals is to exterminate the class of creditors and thrust all men into that of debtors. It is like trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/the-aim-of-new-deals-is-to-exterminate-the-class-of-creditors-and/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [Congress is responsible for everything and unable to do anything, hated by the public creditors, insulted by the soldiers and unsupported by the citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hawkins/congress-is-responsible-for-everything-and-unable-to-do-anything/) Benjamin Hawkins > [“IMF is really designed to protect creditors not debtors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-graeber/imf-is-really-designed-to-protect-creditors-not-debtors/) [David Graeber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-graeber/) > [Not everyone is a debtor who wishes to be; not everyone who wishes makes creditors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-rabelais/not-everyone-is-a-debtor-who-wishes-to-be-not-everyone-who-wishes/) [Francois Rabelais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-rabelais/) > [Running into debt isn't so bad. It's running into creditors that hurts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/running-into-debt-isn-t-so-bad-it-s-running-into-creditors-that-hurts/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The stomach begs and clamors, and listens to no precepts. And yet it is not an obdurate creditor; for it is dismissed with small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/the-stomach-begs-and-clamors-and-listens-to-no-precepts-and-yet-it-is/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Creditors have better memories than debtors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/creditors-have-better-memories-than-debtors/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Every American born today owes $43,000 to the federal government the day she or he is born. 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