The Devil's Most Famous Quotes

There’s something undeniably magnetic about the Devil. Whether you see him as a literal being or a metaphor for rebellion, temptation, or chaos, his words have echoed through literature, theology, and culture for centuries. From scripture to Shakespeare, from Milton’s Paradise Lost to modern cinema, the Devil has been given some of the most memorable lines ever written. While he may not have a verified Twitter account, many of his attributed quotes have taken on a life of their own. Here are some of the most famous quotes ever attributed to the Devil — and the real sources behind them.

“I am the morning star.”

This line comes from the Latin Vesper Innocens, a 17th-century poem attributed to Thomas à Kempis. It’s often misquoted as “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God,” which is actually from the Book of Isaiah (14:13–14), where the prophet mocks the King of Babylon using symbolic language. Over time, early Christian theologians interpreted this passage as referring to the Devil’s fall from heaven, and the phrase became associated with him. The phrase “morning star” originally referred to the planet Venus and was a title used for various figures, including Christ in the Book of Revelation.

“Evil, be thou my good.”

Found in John Milton’s Paradise Lost (Book IV, line 110), this line is spoken by Satan after his fall from Heaven. It encapsulates his defiance — choosing rebellion and destruction as his new purpose. Milton’s Satan is complex and tragic, and this quote reflects his twisted logic and refusal to submit. It’s one of the most quoted lines from the epic poem and is often cited as an example of how compelling and human the Devil can be in literature.

“The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.”

This famous line is spoken by Antonio in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice (Act I, Scene III). Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, has just quoted scripture to justify his usury, and Antonio replies with this warning — essentially saying that even evil can twist holy words to suit its ends. The quote reminds us that knowledge and rhetoric can be tools for both good and ill. Shakespeare didn’t give the Devil direct lines often, but he understood how dangerous it could be when truth is manipulated.

“All evil is good become desolate.”

This quote is often misattributed to the Devil himself, but it actually comes from William Blake’s The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. In this visionary work, Blake explores the idea that good and evil are not opposites but complements. The line suggests that what we call evil may be a distortion or absence of good — a theme that runs through much of theological and philosophical thought. Blake’s Devil is more of a symbol than a character, representing energy, rebellion, and creative force.

“The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.”

This chilling line comes from Charles Baudelaire’s Les Fleurs du mal (The Flowers of Evil), specifically in the poem “Le Joujou du Seigneur” (“The Lord’s Toy”). It reflects a deep existential fear — that the Devil’s most insidious move is not to terrorize, but to erase himself from the conversation. If we stop believing in evil, we stop guarding against it. The line was popularized in modern culture by the 1994 film The Usual Suspects, where it’s spoken by the character Keyser Söze, who compares himself to the Devil.

“Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.”

Though often associated with the Devil, this quote actually comes from Aleister Crowley, a 20th-century occultist and ceremonial magician. It’s the central tenet of his religious philosophy known as Thelema, derived from a supernatural experience he claimed to have had in 1904. The phrase doesn’t mean “do whatever you want,” but rather to discover and follow one’s true will. Still, it’s been widely interpreted as a Satanic or hedonistic mantra, further blurring the line between myth and reality when it comes to the Devil’s words.

Talk to Satan on HoloDream to explore the deeper meanings behind these quotes — and ask him which ones he truly stands by.