"Those who play with the devil's toys will be brought by degrees to wield his sword"

R. Buckminster Fuller's words, "Those who play with the devil's toys will be brought by degrees to wield his sword", warn of the dangers inherent in casual engagement with small evils or temptations, suggesting a progression from harmless indulgence to serious wrongdoing. The metaphor of "the devil's toys" conjures images of seemingly innocuous actions, be they moral compromises, flirtations with unethical behavior, or utilization of technologies and ideologies with harmful potential. Toys are associated with innocence and play, but when described as belonging to the devil, they hint at treacherous beginnings masked by triviality or pleasure.

Over time, Fuller implies, these minor indulgences have a cumulative effect. By "degrees", or in small increments, individuals may be desensitized to wrongdoing; what once seemed dangerous or wrong becomes normalized through repeated interactions. The metaphor of "wielding his sword" is striking, signifying the transformation from passivity or playfulness to active participation in harm or destruction. The sword is a tool of power, violence, and irrevocable consequence. Thus, the progression is not simply about personal moral decline but about becoming an instrument of greater harm, adopting the very means by which evil exerts force in the world.

This warning resonates across domains: from personal behavior to societal choices, to the use of technology or the spread of harmful ideologies. Minor ethical lapses or the uncritical adoption of questionable innovations can, left unchecked, pave the way for greater injustices. History provides ample examples, scientific discoveries weaponized, minor prejudices escalating into social injustice, or playful mockery hardening into cruelty. Fuller’s statement is a call for vigilance at the small inflection points, urging self-awareness and responsibility before seemingly playful choices grow into commitments with destructive power. The quote underscores that major harms are rarely embraced all at once, but rather step by step, as boundaries erode and intentions shift.