Devil Quote by William Shakespeare
“And thus I clothe my naked villainy With odd old ends stol'n out of holy writ; And seem a saint, when most I play the devil.”
About This Quote
Source Play: Othello, Act 2 Scene 2, 1604
The speaker pretends virtue while secretly committing evil, highlighting hypocrisy.
In simple terms: Fake virtue hides evil.
Key Takeaway
Beware hidden motives.
Themes
deception
hypocrisy
identity
Mood
cautionary
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- personal relationships
- media narratives
Key Concepts
dramatic irony
morality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you spot hypocrisy?
- What drives people to appear virtuous?
A Different Perspective
Not all hypocrisy is intentional; sometimes self‑deception occurs.
