"Its no sin to cheat the devil"

The quote "It's no sin to cheat the devil" by Daniel Defoe suggests that some actions may be validated under particular situations. In this particular case, Defoe is suggesting that it might be appropriate to deceive or outmaneuver somebody who is infamous for being deceitful and cunning, such as the devil. This quote might also be translated as a metaphor for life. In life, one may experience situations where they are confronted with tough choices, and often, bending the rules or being a little dishonest might be essential for survival or success. Ultimately, Defoe suggests that often, the ends validate the methods, and it is not always a sin to take a less than best path to achieve one's objectives.