Meaning & Analysis
A person, especially one with malevolent or obsessive intent like the Devil, would rather participate in a game with low stakes ('small game') than be inactive and not play at all ('sit out').
Insights
Persistent Temptation
The proverb is a metaphor for the persistent nature of evil or temptation. It suggests that if a great sin cannot be achieved, the Devil will settle for inciting minor transgressions rather than be idle, ensuring his corrupting influence is always at work.
Danger of Any Engagement
It serves as a warning that any engagement with a negative force, no matter how minor, is a victory for that force. By agreeing to play a 'small game', one enters the adversary's sphere of influence and becomes vulnerable to greater risks.
Compulsion for Action
The proverb illustrates that idleness is unacceptable to a driven or compulsive entity. The primary goal is constant activity, so any action, however insignificant, is preferable to passivity. This highlights a relentless drive that finds purpose in the act itself, not the outcome.
Theological Warning
The personification of the Devil as a relentless gambler reflects a theological worldview where evil is an active, strategic force. It serves as a moral warning that temptation is ever-present, operating even in seemingly trivial matters to maintain its influence.
Psychology of Incrementalism
The proverb illustrates the 'foot-in-the-door' psychological principle, where agreeing to a small commitment (playing a 'small game') makes one more susceptible to larger ones. It suggests that evil's strategy is to secure any level of engagement, which can then be escalated.
Cultural Analogy
The gambling metaphor was highly relatable in a society where such games were common. The 1666 citation by Torriano, comparing the Devil to a thief who steals rushes just 'to keep his hand in', shows the proverb's application to any persistent negative habit, not just literal gaming.
Nature of Ambition
Beyond theology, the proverb speaks to the nature of relentless ambition. It describes a character who cannot bear to be inactive or irrelevant and will therefore engage in minor tasks or conflicts simply to remain 'in the game', demonstrating a compulsion for action over inaction.
Rhetorical Devices
Metaphor
The core of the proverb is the metaphor of moral choice as a game of chance, where 'playing' means engaging in worldly or sinful acts and 'sitting out' represents virtuous inaction.
Personification
The abstract concept of evil is personified as a strategic, tireless gambler. This makes the idea of temptation tangible and relatable, portraying it as an intelligent and patient opponent.
Irony
The proverb creates an ironic contrast between the ultimate stakes of damnation associated with the Devil and his willingness to play for trivial 'small game', which emphasizes his unsettling and pervasive persistence.
Transcription
Quotations
(game, or he sitte out).
(By which, it appeareth, he would play at).
Satan . . will play at small game before hee sit out.
(For all your great words, you would play at a small game, rather).
He will play small game, before hee sit out.
Now for the divel . . hee'l play at small game, e're hee sit out.
I would (as the Proverb sayth) play at small game wrather then give out.
(games).
(before he will stand out).
To play at any game, and for never so small stakes, as the English say, Like a good Gamester, who will play at a small game, rather than give out, or stand out, as if a right Thief should offer to steal rushes, to keep his hand in ure to the Pilfring Trade.
(rather then stand out).
'Tis better to play at small games, than sit out.
The Devil himself will rather chuse to play At paltry small Game, than sit out, they say.
You will play small Game before you stand out.
Play at small Games rather than stand out.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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