"Its no sin to cheat the devil"

Cheating the devil, as referenced in Daniel Defoe’s phrase, is an act that subverts the power of evil or temptation through cunning or justified deception. The devil, traditionally representing the embodiment of evil, trickery, or moral corruption, tempts individuals into dishonesty, betrayal, or selfishness. In many religious and literary traditions, sin is closely associated with acts that go against divine or moral laws, cheating being one of them. However, this statement paradoxically claims that it is not sinful to deceive the ultimate deceiver.

The idea raises intriguing questions of morality and justice. Ordinarily, cheating is considered ethically wrong, but here, context transforms its meaning. Outwitting the devil shifts the moral weight; it becomes an act of resistance rather than transgression. The devil is seen as a force that manipulates and corrupts, drawing people away from virtue. Consequently, fooling such an entity becomes not an immoral act but a clever avoidance of harm, a defense against malevolent manipulation.

This approach aligns with age-old tales and fables in which protagonists must use their wits against stronger, wicked forces. It reflects the belief that moral rules are not rigidly absolute, they must be interpreted depending on circumstances and intentions. Deceiving a malicious power to protect oneself or others can be an assertion of moral autonomy over blind obedience to rules.

The phrase can also suggest a practical wisdom about the nature of evil: combating it sometimes requires embracing unconventional, even deceptive, methods, especially when dealing with those who respect no moral boundaries themselves. Ultimately, sidestepping the devil’s snares is not a transgression but a triumph of virtue over vice, of justice over injustice. The cunning used, far from corruption, becomes a tool for good, a necessary resourcefulness in a flawed world.