--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: These most crafty enemies [the devils]…" description: "\"These most crafty enemies [the devils] have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/958/pope-leo-xiii-9226_bitterness_these-most-crafty-enemies-the-devils-hav_2446594.png" --- # These most crafty enemies \[the devils\] have filled and… ![“These most crafty enemies [the devils] have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on Her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of…” quote by Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/958/pope-leo-xiii-9226_bitterness_these-most-crafty-enemies-the-devils-hav_2446594.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/958/pope-leo-xiii-9226_bitterness_these-most-crafty-enemies-the-devils-hav_2446594.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/958/pope-leo-xiii-9226_bitterness_these-most-crafty-enemies-the-devils-hav_2446594.png) > “These most crafty enemies \[the devils\] have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on Her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.” [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Corrupt forces undermine the Church’s purity, threatening its spiritual authority and unity. **In simple terms:** Evil corrupts the Church’s core. Key Takeaway Guard the faith against moral decay. Themes faith corruption authority spirituality Mood solemn reflective Type theological historical When to use this quote - religious leadership - church governance - community integrity - moral education Key Concepts evil institutional decay heretical influence Questions to Reflect On - How can institutions stay pure amid external pressures? - What safeguards protect spiritual missions? A Different Perspective The quote reflects a historical context; modern applications may differ. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bitterness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bitterness/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Crafty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crafty/) [Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/) [Devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy/) [Holy places](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy-places/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Light of the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light-of-the-world/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Pastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pastor/) [Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession/) [Sacred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacred/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“Humans are like sheep scattered everywhere a shepherd is always needed to keep them united”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-danish-rizwan/humans-are-like-sheep-scattered-everywhere-a-shepherd-is-always/) Muhammad Danish Rizwan > [“As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-a-shepherd-seeketh-out-his-flock-in-the-day-that-he-is-among-his/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [That's sort of what I felt... I miss drinking, I thought bars were truly holy places.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-eszterhas/that-s-sort-of-what-i-felt-i-miss-drinking-i-thought-bars-were-truly/) [Joe Eszterhas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-eszterhas/) > [The core belief that drives terrorism is the notion of a "holy place," along with the idea that some people belong there and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-adams/the-core-belief-that-drives-terrorism-is-the-notion-of-a-holy-place/) [Scott Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-adams/) > [Bahai Iranians are barred from holding government jobs, their children are excluded from the nation's university system, their marriages are not recognized and their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-abrams/bahai-iranians-are-barred-from-holding-government-jobs-their-children/) [Elliott Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-abrams/) > [“Guides were Franciscan monks, sole custodians of the holy places after 1230, who recited the history and traditions associated with each town or monument…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-w-tuchman/guides-were-franciscan-monks-sole-custodians-of-the-holy-places-after/) [Barbara W. Tuchman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-w-tuchman/) > [Nepal is a beautiful country with a lot of holy places. I also like the country because it's close to the Himalayas. According to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-kher/nepal-is-a-beautiful-country-with-a-lot-of-holy-places-i-also-like/) [Kailash Kher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-kher/) > [We may compare the Bible to the Old Testament Tabernacle in the wilderness with its three courts. The outer court is the letter of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/we-may-compare-the-bible-to-the-old-testament-tabernacle-in-the/) [Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/) > [Elderly people are like plants. Whereas some go to seed, or to pot, others blossom in the most wonderful ways. I believe beauty competitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-simpson/elderly-people-are-like-plants-whereas-some-go-to-seed-or-to-pot/) James Simpson > [The temple is a sacred edifice, a holy place, where essential saving ceremonies and ordinances are performed to prepare us for exaltation. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-hales/the-temple-is-a-sacred-edifice-a-holy-place-where-essential-saving/) [Robert D. Hales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-hales/) > [I really believe in the way the energy can consolidate in certain geographical spots. You can find it in a lot of different places,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/i-really-believe-in-the-way-the-energy-can-consolidate-in-certain/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [On the other hand, with a sense of the sacred, one grows in understanding and truth. The Holy Spirit becomes his frequent and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-todd-christofferson/on-the-other-hand-with-a-sense-of-the-sacred-one-grows-in/) [D. Todd Christofferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-todd-christofferson/) > [When Catholicism goes bad it becomes the world-old, world-wide religio of amulets and holy places and priestcraft. Protestantism,in its corresponding decay, becomes a vague…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/when-catholicism-goes-bad-it-becomes-the-world-old-world-wide-religio/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [You rave about the Holy Place (Masjid al-Haram) and say you've visited God's garden but where is your bunch of flowers? There is some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/you-rave-about-the-holy-place-masjid-al-haram-and-say-you-ve-visited/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [The places where water comes together with other water. Those places stand out in my mind like holy places.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/the-places-where-water-comes-together-with-other-water-those-places/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) ## More by Pope Leo XIII > [It must be assumed and established as a principle, that the right of private property must be regarded as sacred. Wherefore, the law ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/it-must-be-assumed-and-established-as-a-principle-that-the-right-of/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/we-hold-upon-this-earth-the-place-of-god-almighty/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [But the supreme teacher in the Church is the Roman Pontiff. Union of minds, therefore, requires, together with a perfect accord in the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/but-the-supreme-teacher-in-the-church-is-the-roman-pontiff-union-of/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [It is an in, a grave evil and a disturbance of the right order, for a larger and higher organisation, to arrogate to itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/it-is-an-in-a-grave-evil-and-a-disturbance-of-the-right-order-for-a/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [God is not only true, but Truth itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/god-is-not-only-true-but-truth-itself/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [Books of apostates, heretics, schismatics, and all other writers defending heresy or schism or in any attacking the foundations of religion, are altogether prohibited.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/books-of-apostates-heretics-schismatics-and-all-other-writers/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [For when men know they are working on what belongs to them, they work with far greater eagerness and diligence. Nay, in a word,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/for-when-men-know-they-are-working-on-what-belongs-to-them-they-work/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [It is neither just nor human so to grind men down with excessive labour as to stupefy their minds and wear out their bodies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/it-is-neither-just-nor-human-so-to-grind-men-down-with-excessive/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [Peace is built on the foundation of justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/peace-is-built-on-the-foundation-of-justice/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [We have said that the State must not absorb the individual or the family; both should be allowed free and untrammelled action so far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/we-have-said-that-the-state-must-not-absorb-the-individual-or-the/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [There are three influences which appear to Us to have the chief place in effecting this downgrade movement of society. These are-first, the distaste…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/there-are-three-influences-which-appear-to-us-to-have-the-chief-place/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [Moreover, Christians are born for combat, whereof the greater the vehemence, the more assured, God willing, the triumph: 'Have confidence; I have overcome the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/moreover-christians-are-born-for-combat-whereof-the-greater-the/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [As Our Predecessors have many times repeated, let no man think that he may for any reason whatsoever join the Masonic sect, if he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/as-our-predecessors-have-many-times-repeated-let-no-man-think-that-he/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [The first law of history is to dread uttering a falsehood; the next is not to fear stating the truth; lastly, the historian's writings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/the-first-law-of-history-is-to-dread-uttering-a-falsehood-the-next-is/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [It is clear that the main tenet of socialism, community of goods, must be utterly rejected, since it only injures those whom it would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/it-is-clear-that-the-main-tenet-of-socialism-community-of-goods-must/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) [Explore all 74 Pope Leo XIII quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) ## More Bitterness quotes > [You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn't do anything to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-should-be-angry-you-must-not-be-bitter-bitterness-is-like-cancer/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [If Japanese tea 'stands,' it acquires a coarse bitterness and an unwholesome astringency. Milk and sugar are not used.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabella-bird/if-japanese-tea-stands-it-acquires-a-coarse-bitterness-and-an/) [Isabella Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabella-bird/) > [Stronger than alcohol, vaster than poetry, Ferment the freckled red bitterness of love!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/stronger-than-alcohol-vaster-than-poetry-ferment-the-freckled-red/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [“What?" I ask. I try not to get snappy with her. She hasn't really done anything wrong. Falling in love with Turner isn't a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-m-stunich/what-i-ask-i-try-not-to-get-snappy-with-her-she-hasn-t-really-done/) [C.M. Stunich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-m-stunich/) > [“The fairest things have fleetest end, Their scent survives their close: But the rose’s scent is bitterness To him that loved the rose. —Francis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-rule/the-fairest-things-have-fleetest-end-their-scent-survives-their-close/) [Ann Rule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-rule/) > [Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs. With this creed, revenge never worries my heart, degradation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/life-appears-to-me-too-short-to-be-spent-in-nursing-animosity-or/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [“No," I say. "I didn't know that," and as I say it I feel flooded with bitterness at all the things Ingrid kept secret…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-lacour/no-i-say-i-didn-t-know-that-and-as-i-say-it-i-feel-flooded-with/) [Nina LaCour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-lacour/) > [Forgiving someone who've done you wrong or didn't treat you right could mean that you are allowing yourself to end up away from bitterness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/april-t-pascua/forgiving-someone-who-ve-done-you-wrong-or-didn-t-treat-you-right/) [April T Pascua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/april-t-pascua/) > [You cannot be inspired if you are surrounded with negativity, open the door and step into the inspirational garden of nature. Do not let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemmy-nola/you-cannot-be-inspired-if-you-are-surrounded-with-negativity-open-the/) [Kemmy Nola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemmy-nola/) > [It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. Carry it by the comfortable handles of gratitude for what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-it-s-the-way-you-carry-it/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [Not forgiving prolongs hurt and anger and leads to smoldering resentment, which will make us miserable until it kills us. Resentment destroys the perception…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-walters/not-forgiving-prolongs-hurt-and-anger-and-leads-to-smoldering/) Richard Walters > [Let us not give in to pessimism, to that bitterness that the devil offers us every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/let-us-not-give-in-to-pessimism-to-that-bitterness-that-the-devil/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“Sometimes it is good to remind ourselves how bitterness tastes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rin-chupeco/sometimes-it-is-good-to-remind-ourselves-how-bitterness-tastes/) [Rin Chupeco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rin-chupeco/) > [What folly made young people, even those in middle age, think they were immortal? How much better, their lives, if they could remember the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohinton-mistry/what-folly-made-young-people-even-those-in-middle-age-think-they-were/) [Rohinton Mistry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohinton-mistry/) > [Be sure there is something waiting for you after much patience, to astonish you to a degree, that you forget the bitterness of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/be-sure-there-is-something-waiting-for-you-after-much-patience-to/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) [Browse all 1,210 Bitterness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bitterness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "These most crafty enemies [the devils] have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on Her most sacred possessions. 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