Purgatory PICKPURSE

Meaning & Analysis

The phrase characterizes the doctrine or institution of purgatory (in Catholic teaching, a place or process of purification after death) as a 'pickpurse'—a means of extracting money from believers.

Insights

Exploitation of Faith

Metaphorically, 'purgatory pickpurse' accuses religious authorities of exploiting spiritual fears for financial gain, transforming a sacred belief into a tool for enriching the clergy.

Religious Manipulation

The phrase stands as a symbol for manipulative practices in religion, whereby institutional power leverages the anxiety of the afterlife to pressure the faithful into payments or donations.

Critique of Corruption

It extends more broadly as a satirical condemnation of corruption—where any revered institution may become a pretext for unjust enrichment at the expense of the vulnerable.

Reformation Polemic

The phrase is rooted in Protestant Reformation rhetoric, when critics like Latimer attacked Catholic practices—especially indulgences and prayers for the dead—as mercenary and spiritually hollow, coining terms such as 'purgatory pickpurse' to dramatize their grievances.

Psychological Insight

It reveals the psychological tension between genuine spiritual need and institutional authority’s power to monetize hope and fear, exposing the risks of blending piety and commerce.

Socio-Economic Critique

The proverb encapsulates a broader critique of the wealth and material ambitions of the clergy, framing religious fundraising as a form of theft disguised as sanctity.

Rhetorical Devices

Alliteration

The repeated 'p' sounds in 'purgatory pickpurse' give the phrase punch and memorability, enhancing its use as a polemical slogan.

Portmanteau/Compound Word

By fusing 'purgatory' and 'pickpurse,' the phrase invents a stinging compound that encapsulates its entire accusation in a single, vivid term.

Satirical Irony

There is biting irony in associating a spiritual doctrine with thievery, exposing the incongruity between professed holiness and worldly greed.

religioncorruptionsatirereformationironyexploitation

Analyzed with gpt-4.1 on July 10, 2025

Transcription

Quotations

They that begot and brought forth that our old ancient purgatory pick-purse.

— 1536, LATIMER, Serm., 5, p. 50

Downe with Christ's cross, up with purgatory pickpurse, up with him, the popish purgatory, I mean.

— 1548, LATIMER, Serm., 6, p. 71

They talke also of pickepurse purgatory.

— 1554, HILARIE, Resur. Mass, s. B6v

It may be well and justly called purgatory pickpurse . . wealth and great riches of the clergy, was the only mark they aimed at.

— 1593, H. SMITH, God's Arrow 5, Wks., II 419

Related Proverbs

N138 A NEWGATE BIRD¹ 91.1%P537 A POX on these true jests 90.6%D240 The DEVIL is a busy bishop in his own diocese 90.5%D243 The DEVIL is at home 90.3%L228 London LICKPENNY¹ 90.3%H277 You have a handsome HEAD of hair, pray give me a tester¹ 90.3%C740 Marry come up, my dirty COUSIN 90.2%S910 A cock-and-bull STORY (tale) 90.2%H65 At HAND, quoth pickpurse 90.0%D230 The DEVIL can cite Scripture for his purpose 90.0%N246 It will be a NOSEGAY to him as long as he lives 89.9%N199 To play at NODDY 89.9%A300 Sodom APPLES outwardly fair, ashes at the core 89.9%G11 As bitter as GALL 89.8%C902 As great as CUP and can 89.8%L553 Your LOVE is a million 89.8%C378 The CHURCH will lose nothing and defend nothing 89.8%M1029 The MOB has many heads but no brains 89.8%P663 To give one's PURSE a purgation 89.7%I38 Three ILLS (evils) come from the North, a cold wind, a shrinking cloth, and a dissembling man 89.7%

These connections are generated using word-embeddings. Learn more.