Meaning & Analysis
The proverb describes someone who is muttering or grumbling with malicious intent. Instead of reciting the 'Paternoster' (the Lord's Prayer), they are muttering curses or resentful complaints, likened to a prayer said to the Devil.
Insights
Malicious Grumbling
The proverb serves as a metaphor for silent, malicious intent. The act of muttering symbolizes the nursing of grievances and ill-will, contrasting the outward appearance of quietness with an inner reality of anger and resentment.
Corrupted Devotion
It can describe a form of hypocritical piety, where an individual mimics the outward form of prayer (muttering) while their heart is filled with hatred and negativity, subverting the spiritual purpose of the act.
Internal Corruption
The phrase symbolizes internal corruption, where an individual's thoughts are consumed by bitterness and curses rather than grace and forgiveness. The 'prayer' is a manifestation of a poisoned soul.
Inversion of Piety
The proverb's power stems from a deeply religious culture where the 'Paternoster' (Our Father) was a central prayer. Associating it with the Devil creates a potent image of blasphemy, turning a sacred act of devotion into a sinister ritual of malice.
Psychology of Resentment
This proverb offers a sharp psychological portrait of impotent rage. The act of muttering or grumbling is an external sign of internal turmoil, where unspoken curses and resentment fester, poisoning the individual's spirit without leading to direct confrontation.
Passive-Aggressive Dissent
The phrase vividly captures the behavior of passive aggression. Unable or unwilling to voice dissent openly, the individual resorts to inarticulate but audible grumbling, a subtle act of rebellion that communicates displeasure without inviting direct conflict.
Rhetorical Devices
Antithesis
The proverb's impact comes from the powerful juxtaposition of the sacred ('Paternoster') with the profane ('Devil'), creating a shocking and memorable image of spiritual inversion.
Metaphor
The act of grumbling is metaphorically framed as a satanic prayer, providing a rich, figurative way to describe the nature of suppressed anger and cursing.
Alliteration
The alliteration in 'patterning' and 'paternoster' creates a rhythmic, percussive effect that mimics the sound of muttering lips, enhancing the proverb's auditory imagery.
Transcription
Quotations
I murmure, I make a noyse, I bydde the dyvvels Paster noster.
Pattryng the diuels pater noster to her felfe.
Go not away with the devil's Paternoster, as some do. Do all things with a good mind.
Began to mumble with hir felfe the Diuels Paternoster.
What Devills Pater noster mumbles shee?
He is, pat-tring, the Devils Pater-Noster; viz he grumbles or mutters.
How he mumbles the devil's paternoster!
*Spoken of one that mumbles and grumbles to himself.
*When one is grumbling to himself and it may be cursing those that have angered or displeased him.
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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