--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Faust: Who holds the devil, let him hold…" description: "\"Faust: Who holds the devil, let him hold him well, He hardly will be caught a second time.\" — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/808/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_caught_faust-who-holds-the-devil-let-him-hold-h_864741.jpg" --- # Faust: Who holds the devil, let him hold him well, He… ![“Faust: Who holds the devil, let him hold him well, He hardly will be caught a second time.” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/808/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_caught_faust-who-holds-the-devil-let-him-hold-h_864741.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/808/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_caught_faust-who-holds-the-devil-let-him-hold-h_864741.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/808/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_caught_faust-who-holds-the-devil-let-him-hold-h_864741.jpg) > “Faust: Who holds the devil, let him hold him well, He hardly will be caught a second time.” [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If you control the devil, keep him close; he is unlikely to be caught again. **In simple terms:** Master your demons, keep them under watch. Key Takeaway Beware of power that can turn against you. Themes power risk control Mood cautious thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - leadership - negotiations - personal growth - legal strategy Key Concepts psychology mythology ethics Questions to Reflect On - What "devils" do you need to manage? - How can you prevent a controlled threat from reemerging? A Different Perspective Power can corrupt both holder and controller. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Caught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caught/) [Devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil/) [Devil Let](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil-let-890744/) [Faust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faust/) [Faust Holds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faust-holds-890742/) [Hold Hardly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hold-hardly-890745/) [Holds Devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holds-devil-890743/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [“I've come to warn you, too. It's a dangerous game you're playing. There's a reason the rest of us maintain a distance from Adair,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alma-katsu/i-ve-come-to-warn-you-too-it-s-a-dangerous-game-you-re-playing-there/) [Alma Katsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alma-katsu/) > [THE DEVIL'S IN THE DETAIL . 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"I am part of that power which eternally wills evil and eternally works good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/who-are-you-then-i-am-part-of-that-power-which-eternally-wills-evil/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Once I blazed across the sky, Leaving trails of flame; I fell to earth, and here I lie - Who'll help me up again?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/once-i-blazed-across-the-sky-leaving-trails-of-flame-i-fell-to-earth/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## More by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I never believed in trying to do anything. 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Passions, emotions, may be made popular; but reason remains ever the property of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/let-us-not-dream-that-reason-can-ever-be-popular-passions-emotions/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Our foibles are really what make us lovable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/our-foibles-are-really-what-make-us-lovable/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Instruction does much, but encouragement everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/instruction-does-much-but-encouragement-everything/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Giving is the business of the rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/giving-is-the-business-of-the-rich/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/just-begin-and-the-mind-grows-heated-continue-and-the-task-will-be/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I look upon all four Gospels as thoroughly genuine, for there shines forth from them the reflected splendor of a sublimity proceeding from Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-look-upon-all-four-gospels-as-thoroughly-genuine-for-there-shines/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Whatever we may say against collections, which present authors in a disjointed form, they nevertheless bring about many excellent results. 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