Meaning & Analysis
The Devil can be physically identified by his traditional monstrous features, such as claws, cloven hooves, or horns, which distinguish him from humans.
Insights
True Nature Revealed
A person's true, malevolent nature cannot be entirely hidden and will inevitably be revealed through their actions, words, or specific tell-tale traits (their 'claws' or 'horns').
A Warning to be Vigilant
The proverb serves as a warning to be observant of the small but significant signs that betray a person's malicious intent, no matter how charming or normal their outward appearance may be.
Inherent Flaws Cannot Be Concealed
Evil or malice is an intrinsic part of a wicked person's character. Despite any attempts to conceal it, these fundamental traits will eventually manifest themselves.
Historical Iconography
The proverb's imagery is drawn from a rich history of Christian and pre-Christian iconography, where figures like the Greek god Pan, with his goat-like features, were absorbed and demonized. This visual shorthand for evil was vital for conveying moral lessons in a largely illiterate society.
Literary and Dramatic Resonance
As seen in Shakespeare's 'Othello' and Marlowe's 'Faustus', the proverb was a cultural touchstone in Renaissance drama to explore themes of deception and the nature of evil. Characters look for physical signs of demonic nature to comprehend profound wickedness.
Psychological Dimension
The proverb reflects a psychological need to externalize evil, making it identifiable and thus manageable. It speaks to the cognitive shortcut of judging character by external 'tells', a protective mechanism that can also devolve into prejudice.
Metaphorical Evolution
The evolution of the proverb's meaning, as noted in the 1611 Cotgrave citation ('A covetous heart discerned by catching hands'), shows a shift from literal demonology to a sophisticated metaphor for human vice, where actions (grasping hands) are the 'claws' that reveal character.
Rhetorical Devices
Symbolism
The 'claws', 'cloven feet', and 'horns' are powerful, culturally ingrained symbols of evil, corruption, and inhuman danger, providing a universally understood shorthand.
Metonymy
The proverb uses a part (the claw or horn) to stand for the whole (the Devil or the essence of evil), signifying that one only needs to see a single definitive sign to understand the complete nature of a person or situation.
Transcription
Quotations
I'll tell you how you shall know them; all he-devils has horns, and all she-devils has clifts and cloven feet.
Hee's not cloven.
Deuill shall he be if hornes will make him.
*A covetous heart discerned by catching hands.
'Tis the Devill. I know him by a great rose he weares on's shooe To hide his cloven foot.
Shakespeare Citations
No man means evil but the devil, and we shall know him by his horns.
I look down towards his feet—but that's a fable. If that thou be'st a devil, I cannot kill thee.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.