How to Read “The devil knows many things because he is old”
“The devil knows many things because he is old”
[thuh DEV-uhl nohz MEN-ee thingz bi-KAWZ hee iz ohld]
Meaning of “The devil knows many things because he is old”
Simply put, this proverb means that experience gained over time gives someone deep knowledge about how the world really works.
The saying uses the devil as a symbol of someone who has been around for ages. In many traditions, the devil is portrayed as ancient and cunning. The proverb suggests that his knowledge comes not from being evil, but from having observed human behavior for countless years. Time itself becomes the teacher.
We use this saying when someone older shows surprising insight into a situation. Maybe a grandparent predicts exactly how a family argument will unfold. Or an experienced teacher spots a student’s problem before anyone else notices. Their wisdom comes from having seen similar patterns many times before.
What makes this proverb interesting is how it separates knowledge from morality. The devil might be considered evil, but the saying focuses on his experience, not his character. It suggests that time and observation create understanding, regardless of who is doing the observing. This reminds us that wisdom can come from unexpected sources.
Origin and Etymology
The exact origin of this proverb is unknown, though similar sayings about age bringing wisdom appear in many European languages. Variations exist in Spanish, Italian, and French, suggesting the idea spread across different cultures over centuries. The concept likely emerged during medieval times when people commonly used religious figures in everyday sayings.
During the medieval period, the devil appeared frequently in folk wisdom and stories. People used such figures to discuss human nature and morality in memorable ways. Religious imagery helped make abstract ideas concrete and easier to remember. The devil represented not just evil, but also ancient knowledge and cunning intelligence.
The saying probably traveled through oral tradition before appearing in written form. As people moved between regions for trade or during conflicts, they carried their proverbs with them. Over time, the basic message remained the same while the exact wording adapted to different languages. The proverb eventually reached English-speaking countries through this gradual cultural exchange.
Interesting Facts
The word “devil” comes from the Greek word “diabolos,” which originally meant “slanderer” or “accuser.” This Greek term was later adopted into Latin as “diabolus” before evolving into the English “devil.” The original meaning focused more on the role of opposing or challenging rather than pure evil.
Many European languages have nearly identical versions of this proverb. The Spanish say “Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo” (The devil knows more for being old than for being the devil). This similarity across languages suggests the saying captured a universal human observation about age and experience.
Usage Examples
- Grandson to grandmother: “How did you know I was lying about where I went last night? – The devil knows many things because he is old.”
- Employee to coworker: “Our boss somehow predicted exactly what would go wrong with this project – the devil knows many things because he is old.”
Universal Wisdom
This proverb reveals a fundamental truth about how humans actually acquire wisdom. We often assume knowledge comes from books, education, or natural intelligence. But the saying points to something more basic: the irreplaceable value of simply having lived through many experiences. Time itself becomes a teacher that no shortcut can replace.
The choice of the devil as the wise figure creates a powerful contradiction that makes us think deeper. We expect wisdom to come from good sources like teachers, parents, or religious leaders. But the proverb suggests that experience transcends moral categories. Someone can understand human nature deeply simply by observing it for a long time, regardless of their character. This challenges our assumptions about where insight originates.
The saying also captures why older people often seem to predict outcomes that surprise younger ones. They have witnessed similar situations unfold many times before. They recognize patterns that repeat across generations. A grandmother might know a romance will fail not because she is pessimistic, but because she has seen the same warning signs lead to the same results dozens of times. Her knowledge comes from accumulated observation, not supernatural insight. This explains why experience often trumps intelligence when it comes to understanding people and predicting behavior.
When AI Hears This
People naturally trust old sources of information, even harmful ones. We assume age equals wisdom without checking motives. The devil gains credibility simply by existing longer than humans. This reveals how we mistake experience for trustworthiness automatically.
This happens because humans use mental shortcuts to judge information quality. Time feels like proof that knowledge works. We think surviving long means being right about important things. But longevity only proves persistence, not good intentions or helpful advice.
This blind spot actually protects us in most situations. Old wisdom usually comes from people who cared about us. Grandparents and elders typically want to help their communities survive. The devil represents the rare exception where experience serves selfish goals. Our trust in aged wisdom works well ninety-nine percent of the time.
Lessons for Today
Understanding this wisdom helps us value experience differently. Instead of dismissing older perspectives as outdated, we can recognize them as data collected over decades. An elderly person’s caution about a business deal might seem overly careful, but it could reflect having seen similar ventures fail repeatedly. Their knowledge comes from pattern recognition built over time.
This insight also changes how we view our own learning process. We might feel frustrated when we make mistakes that others could have predicted. But the proverb reminds us that some knowledge only comes through lived experience. Reading about heartbreak differs from experiencing it. Studying business theory differs from watching companies rise and fall. Time and observation create understanding that cannot be rushed or downloaded.
The wisdom encourages patience with our own development while respecting the insights of those who have traveled further along life’s path. We can seek out experienced voices when facing new challenges, understanding that their knowledge comes from having observed similar situations unfold. At the same time, we can trust that our own understanding will deepen as we accumulate experiences. The devil’s knowledge took ages to develop, and so will ours.
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