Do EVIL and evil will come of it

Insights

Karmic Retribution

The proverb functions as a law of moral retribution, suggesting that the universe maintains a natural balance. Evil actions disrupt this equilibrium and will invariably attract a corresponding negative force or event to restore order, akin to the concept of karma.

Cycle of Negativity

An act of evil often initiates a self-perpetuating cycle. As Shakespeare notes, 'One sin, I know, another doth provoke.' This suggests that evil is not a single event but a process that creates the conditions for its own continuation and escalation.

Internal Corruption

Performing a malicious act not only invites external punishment but also corrupts the character of the doer. Each transgression makes the next one easier, leading to a progressive moral decay and internal ruin.

Social Reciprocity

The proverb warns that harmful actions damage the social fabric. The 1591 quotation, 'He that speaketh euill of his brother, shall be euill spoken of himselfe', illustrates that social consequences, such as reputational harm and reciprocal mistreatment, are a direct result of one's misdeeds.

Moral Causality

The proverb posits a universe governed by moral causality, where actions have direct and predictable consequences. This reflects a deep-seated human desire for a just and orderly world in which wrongdoing is inevitably punished, reinforcing social and ethical norms.

Cross-Cultural Resonance

This concept is a cornerstone of many global religions and philosophies, from the Christian biblical principle of 'reaping what you sow' to the Eastern doctrine of karma. Its ubiquity highlights a near-universal ethical intuition about the consequences of human actions.

Psychological Escalation

Psychologically, committing a transgression can normalize such behavior for the individual, making future and often greater wrongs more likely. As Gurnall's 1655 quote suggests, 'the less [sin] the greater, as the brush the logs', illustrating how minor evils can kindle major ones.

Literary Trope of Ruin

The theme that one evil act necessitates another is a foundational trope in literature, especially tragedy. Shakespeare's use in 'Pericles' and the cross-referenced proverb 'Crimes are made secure by greater crimes' show its use as a device to drive plots toward an inevitable downfall.

Rhetorical Devices

Parallelism

The direct repetition of 'evil' creates a powerful, symmetrical link between the action and its consequence, presenting the outcome as an inescapable certainty.

Directness

The proverb's power lies in its stark simplicity. By avoiding elaborate metaphors, it presents its moral law as fundamental, absolute, and universally applicable.

Imperative Mood

The proverb begins with an imperative verb ('Do'), framing the message as a direct and personal warning. It functions as a conditional statement ('If you do evil...'), making the consequence feel immediate and unavoidable for the listener.