The devil knows his own 😈🤝😈

Meaning

People who are alike in some way, especially in bad behavior, tend to recognize and associate with each other.

Origin

This idiom likely sprung from the ancient belief that the Devil, as the father of lies and wickedness, would naturally recognize and claim his own true descendants or followers. It's a visceral image: Lucifer, surveying the human realm, would instinctively know which souls were predisposed to his dark influence. This idea permeated religious and folk beliefs for centuries, solidifying the phrase as a pithy observation on the uncanny habit of bad eggs flocking together, a phenomenon as predictable as sin itself.

📜🧚 folklore mythology 🔒 secrets 🎭🤥 deception 😠⚔️ anger 🦉🤔 wisdom

The devil knows his own represented with emoji😈🤝😈

This playful juxtaposition of devilish figures joined in a pact, functions as a cheeky reminder that like attracts like. It underscores the age-old adage that those with shared mischievous inclinations often find common ground, a whimsical nod to the power of mutual understanding, even amongst the impish.

Examples

  • I'm not surprised those two con artists found each other; the devil knows his own.
  • She always hangs out with the most notorious troublemakers, but then again, the devil knows his own.
  • The two mischievous goblins, always up to no good, quickly became best friends, for the devil knows his own.
  • When the rogue wizards teamed up with their equally shifty magical familiars, it was clear that the devil knows his own.

Frequently asked questions

What's the opposite of 'The devil knows his own'?

There isn't a direct, widely recognized opposite proverb, but phrases like 'Birds of a feather flock together' (which shares the same core meaning) when inverted, might imply that unlike people associate or that good people are drawn to each other. The underlying idea of mutual recognition based on affinity is key.

Is 'The devil knows his own' a biblical quote?

No, 'The devil knows his own' is not a direct quote from the Bible. While the sentiment aligns with biblical themes of good versus evil and the Devil's influence, the specific phrasing is a folk idiom that developed over time.

Does 'The devil knows his own' imply loyalty?

Not necessarily loyalty in a positive sense, but rather an understanding and recognition based on shared characteristics, particularly negative ones. It suggests an affinity, often for mischief or wickedness, that causes similar individuals to find and connect with each other.

Can 'The devil knows his own' be used for positive associations?

While the idiom's historical roots and common usage lean heavily towards recognizing negative traits, in a strictly literal sense of 'knowing one's own kind,' it could theoretically be applied to any strong shared characteristic. However, the negative connotation is so dominant that using it positively would likely be ironic or confusing.

Similar to "The devil knows his own"

Birds of a feather flock together
Both phrases celebrate the natural inclination for like to seek like, but 'Birds of a feather' carries a lighter, more neutral tone, whereas 'The devil knows his own' winks at the shared, often unsavory, nature of such connections
Misery loves company
This captures the same human tendency to find comfort in shared experience, but it specifically highlights suffering as the common bond, a darker hue than the general 'likeness' implied by 'The devil knows his own'
The pack hunts as one
This evokes a primal sense of unity and shared purpose, much like 'The devil knows his own,' but it frames the association through the lens of predatory instinct and collective action, a powerful image of coordinated, often ruthless, affiliation

Opposite of "The devil knows his own"

The exception proves the rule
This argues that a single outlier can actually reinforce the existence of a general tendency, directly contradicting the idea that like always recognizes like; it suggests that sometimes, difference is the most telling sign of the norm
Still waters run deep
While 'The devil knows his own' assumes surface-level recognition among the similarly obvious (especially in their wickedness), this phrase points to hidden depths and complexities, suggesting that outward appearances can be deceiving and the most interesting connections might form across apparent divides

Related to "The devil knows his own"

Blood will tell
This phrase shares the inevitability of recognition, but focuses specifically on inherited traits and lineage rather than learned behavior or shared dispositions
You can't choose your relatives
While 'The devil knows his own' implies a choice in associating with kindred spirits, this proverb laments the unchosen, often burdensome, connections of family, highlighting a similar theme of inescapable connection but with a tone of resignation
A leopard doesn't change its spots
This proverb underscores the inherent, unchangeable nature of individuals, resonating with the idea that fundamental characteristics, like the devil's, are readily apparent and enduring
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree
This captures the notion that offspring often resemble their parents, a specific familial manifestation of the broader 'like attracts like' principle seen in 'The devil knows his own'