--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...the exorcist should not believe too…" description: "\"“...the exorcist should not believe too readily that a person is possessed by an evil spirit; but he aught to ascertain by the signs by which a person ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/william-peter-blatty-6688_nature_the-exorcist-should-not-believe-too-read_1611274.jpg" --- # ...the exorcist should not believe too readily that a… ![“...the exorcist should not believe too readily that a person is possessed by an evil spirit; but he aught to ascertain by the signs by which a person possessed can be distinguished from one who is suffering from some illness; especially one of a psychological nature. Signs of possession may be the…” quote by William Peter Blatty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/william-peter-blatty-6688_nature_the-exorcist-should-not-believe-too-read_1611274.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/william-peter-blatty-6688_nature_the-exorcist-should-not-believe-too-read_1611274.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/william-peter-blatty-6688_nature_the-exorcist-should-not-believe-too-read_1611274.jpg) > ““...the exorcist should not believe too readily that a person is possessed by an evil spirit; but he aught to ascertain by the signs by which a person possessed can be distinguished from one who is suffering from some illness; especially one of a psychological nature. Signs of possession may be the following: ability to speak with some facility in a strange language or to understand it when spoken by another; the facility of divulging future and hidden events; display of powers which are beyond the subject's age and natural condition; and various other conditions which, when taken together as a whole, build up the evidence.”” [William Peter Blatty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-peter-blatty/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage outlines criteria to differentiate demonic possession from mental illness, emphasizing language abilities, prophetic knowledge, and supernatural powers as signs. **In simple terms:** Distinguish possession from illness using specific signs. Key Takeaway Assess signs before labeling someone possessed. Themes psychology theology diagnosis supernatural mental health Mood curious analytical skeptical Type observational critical inquisitive When to use this quote - counseling - medical diagnosis - spiritual discernment - law enforcement - film adaptation Key Concepts demonology clinical assessment paranormal investigation Questions to Reflect On - How can professionals balance spiritual and medical perspectives? - What ethical issues arise in labeling behavior as possession? A Different Perspective Reliance on supernatural signs may overlook medical explanations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Exorcist Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exorcist-believe-6144910/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Person Possessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person-possessed-774831/) [Possessed Distinguished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possessed-distinguished-6144912/) [Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession/) [Signs Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/signs-possession-6144911/) ## Related quotes > [“You know what can make a person possessed, Sylvie? It's not Satan or Lucifer or any of that nonsense. 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