How to Read “Give the devil his due”
Give the devil his due
[GIV thuh DEV-uhl hiz DOO]
All words use standard pronunciation.
Meaning of “Give the devil his due”
Simply put, this proverb means you should acknowledge good qualities or achievements even in people you dislike or disagree with.
The literal words paint a striking picture. Even the devil, representing ultimate evil, might deserve credit for something. This creates a powerful contrast that makes the message memorable. The phrase suggests that fairness requires us to recognize truth, regardless of its source.
We use this saying when someone we don’t like does something well. Maybe a difficult coworker completes an excellent project. Perhaps a rival sports team makes an amazing play. The proverb reminds us to put aside personal feelings and give honest recognition where it’s earned.
This wisdom reveals something important about human nature. We naturally want to dismiss everything about people we dislike. But this proverb challenges that instinct. It suggests that true fairness means separating our personal feelings from objective judgment. Even our worst enemies might occasionally be right about something.
Origin and Etymology
The exact origin of this phrase is unknown, though it appears in English literature from several centuries ago. Early versions focused on the idea that even evil deserves acknowledgment when it speaks truth. The phrase became popular as a way to express reluctant but honest recognition.
During earlier periods, people took religious imagery much more seriously in daily speech. References to the devil carried stronger meaning than they do today. This made the proverb more shocking and memorable. The contrast between giving credit and mentioning evil created a lasting impression.
The saying spread through common usage rather than literary works. People found it useful for situations requiring diplomatic honesty. Over time, it became less about religious concepts and more about fairness. Today we use it mainly to express grudging respect for opponents or difficult people.
Interesting Facts
The word “due” comes from Old French meaning “owed” or “deserved.” This connects to the legal concept that everyone deserves what they’ve rightfully earned. The phrase structure follows a common pattern in English proverbs, using concrete imagery to express abstract ideas about justice and fairness.
Usage Examples
- Manager to employee: “I can’t stand working with him, but his sales numbers are consistently the highest on the team – give the devil his due.”
- Sister to brother: “She’s been nothing but trouble for our family, but she did help Mom through her surgery – give the devil his due.”
Universal Wisdom
This proverb touches on one of humanity’s most challenging psychological conflicts. We naturally sort people into allies and enemies, friends and foes. This mental shortcut helped our ancestors survive in dangerous situations. But it also creates a problem when we need to judge fairly.
The human brain wants consistency in its judgments. If someone is bad, everything about them should be bad. If someone is good, everything should be good. This black-and-white thinking feels safer and simpler. Admitting that enemies have good qualities creates uncomfortable mental tension. It forces us to hold two conflicting ideas at once.
Yet this discomfort serves an important purpose. Societies that can acknowledge truth regardless of its source make better decisions. Groups that dismiss all ideas from opponents miss valuable information. The proverb recognizes that wisdom and skill can emerge from unexpected places. It suggests that survival depends not just on loyalty, but on the ability to recognize reality even when it’s inconvenient. This tension between tribal loyalty and objective truth has shaped human communities for thousands of years.
When AI Hears This
Humans run a hidden mental accounting system for trust and credibility. When someone refuses to admit an enemy’s good points, others notice. Their mental “trust score” for that person drops quietly. People start doubting their judgment on everything else too. This happens automatically, without anyone realizing it.
The brain treats fairness like an investment in future influence. Being honest about opponents costs emotional energy right now. But it pays dividends later when people need reliable advice. Those who always bash their enemies become unreliable sources. Their opinions lose weight in group decisions over time.
This creates a beautiful trade-off system in human thinking. Short-term emotional satisfaction competes with long-term social credibility. The wisest people pay the “honesty tax” upfront. They sacrifice the good feeling of pure criticism. In return, they become the voices others trust most.
Lessons for Today
Living with this wisdom requires developing what psychologists call cognitive flexibility. This means learning to separate the messenger from the message. When someone you dislike makes a good point, the natural response is to find reasons why they’re still wrong. Instead, this proverb suggests pausing to consider whether they might actually be right about this particular thing.
In relationships, this principle can prevent conflicts from escalating unnecessarily. During arguments, people often reject everything their opponent says, even reasonable points. Acknowledging valid concerns, even from someone who’s mostly wrong, can open doors to resolution. It shows intellectual honesty and can encourage others to be more reasonable in return.
The challenge lies in timing and delivery. Giving credit to opponents requires careful judgment about when and how to do it. Too early, and you might seem weak or inconsistent. Too late, and the gesture loses its power. The key is finding moments when honest recognition serves everyone’s interests. This wisdom works best when it comes from a position of confidence rather than desperation. It’s about choosing fairness over convenience, even when it costs us something.
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