"Thinking about the devil is worse than seeing the devil"

In this quote, Branch Rickey is emphasizing the power of our thoughts and creativity. He recommends that simply thinking of something, in this case the devil, can be more harmful than in fact encountering it in reality. This is since our ideas have the ability to produce fear and stress and anxiety, which can be more extreme and long-lasting than a physical encounter. Rickey may be suggesting that we need to be cautious of what we enable our minds to dwell on, as it can have a significant effect on our feelings and wellness. Ultimately, this quote functions as a reminder to be conscious of our thoughts and to concentrate on positivity rather than negativity.