Saint vs. Devil: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 5, 2023
A saint is a virtuous, morally exemplary person, often canonized; a devil is a symbol or embodiment of evil, often represented as a supernatural being.
Key Differences
The terms saint and devil represent polar opposites in moral and spiritual contexts. A saint is generally considered a person of exceptional holiness, virtue, and benevolence, often recognized and canonized by certain Christian churches. Saints are often venerated for their extraordinary faith, compassion, and contributions to humanity, reflecting the embodiment of divine goodness and purity.
Conversely, the term devil is widely used to symbolize evil, malice, and temptation. In many religious and cultural narratives, the devil is depicted as a supernatural entity opposed to goodness and divinity, seeking to spread corruption, deceit, and suffering. The devil is often portrayed as the antagonist of the divine, representing moral depravity and wickedness.
A saint is typically associated with acts of kindness, charity, and self-sacrifice, emphasizing a life dedicated to the service and well-being of others. The image of a saint evokes notions of love, peace, and altruism, embodying the ideals of moral excellence and spiritual enlightenment. Saints are often revered as models of ethical conduct and righteous living, inspiring others to pursue virtue and goodness.
In contrast, the devil is synonymous with darkness, chaos, and malevolence, symbolizing the destructive and immoral forces in the universe. The concept of the devil is linked to sin, vice, and transgression, illustrating the perpetual struggle between right and wrong, virtue and vice. The devil is seen as a constant threat to the soul, luring individuals away from the path of righteousness with promises of power, pleasure, and fulfilment.
In essence, while saints epitomize the highest moral and spiritual ideals, the devil embodies the essence of moral corruption and spiritual degradation. The dichotomy between saint and devil underscores the universal themes of good versus evil, morality versus immorality, and redemption versus damnation, reflecting the human quest for meaning, purpose, and transcendence in the face of existential challenges.
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Comparison Chart
Moral Alignment
Represents virtue, goodness, and moral excellence.
Represents evil, malice, and moral corruption.
Spiritual Role
Model of righteousness and divine favor.
Antagonist of the divine, tempter of souls.
Perception
Venerated and revered.
Feared and avoided.
Symbolism
Altruism, charity, and benevolence.
Sin, vice, and transgression.
Impact on Humanity
Inspires moral and spiritual growth.
Represents the struggle between right and wrong.
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Saint and Devil Definitions
Saint
A person who has died and gone to heaven in Christian belief.
The faithful believe they will join the saints in heaven.
Devil
A supernatural being symbolizing evil.
The devil is often depicted with horns and a pitchfork.
Saint
A person acknowledged as holy or virtuous.
Mother Teresa is regarded as a saint due to her charitable work.
Devil
A wicked or naughty person.
The child was acting like a little devil at the party.
Saint
A founder or patron of a particular tradition or group.
The saint of the movement inspired many followers.
Devil
A person with energy, daring, or cleverness.
He is a devil behind the wheel, driving very fast.
Saint
Abbr. St. or S. A person officially recognized, especially by canonization, as being entitled to public veneration and capable of interceding for people on earth.
Devil
A severe and demanding difficulty or condition.
The exam was a devil, very hard to pass.
Saint
A person who has died and gone to heaven.
Devil
A mischievous or self-willed person.
He is a devil, always playing pranks.
Saint
Saint A member of any of various Christian groups, especially a Latter-Day Saint.
Devil
Often Devil In many religions, the major personified spirit of evil, ruler of Hell, and foe of God. Used with the.
Saint
A person who is venerated for holiness in a non-Christian religious tradition.
Devil
A subordinate evil spirit; a demon.
Saint
An extremely virtuous person.
Devil
A wicked or malevolent person.
Saint
To name, recognize, or venerate as a saint.
Devil
A person
A handsome devil.
The poor devil.
Saint
To regard or venerate as extremely virtuous.
Devil
An energetic, mischievous, daring, or clever person.
Saint
A person whom a church or another religious group has officially recognised as especially holy or godly; one eminent for piety and virtue.
Kateri Tekakwitha was proclaimed a saint.
Devil
(Printing) A printer's devil.
Saint
A person with positive qualities; one who does good.
Dorothy Day was a living saint.
Thanks for looking after the house while I'm away. You're a saint!
Devil
A device or machine, especially one having teeth or spikes and used for tearing.
Saint
One of the blessed in heaven.
Devil
An outstanding example, especially of something difficult or bad
Has a devil of a temper.
Saint
(archaic) A holy object.
Devil
A severe reprimand or expression of anger
Gave me the devil for cutting class.
Saint
(transitive) To canonize, to formally recognize someone as a saint.
Many wish to see Pope John Paul II sainted immediately.
Devil
(Informal) Used as an intensive
Who the devil do you think you are?.
Saint
A person sanctified; a holy or godly person; one eminent for piety and virtue; any true Christian, as being redeemed and consecrated to God.
Them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints.
Devil
To season (food) heavily.
Saint
One of the blessed in heaven.
Then shall thy saints, unmixed, and from the impureFar separate, circling thy holy mount,Unfeigned hallelujahs to thee sing.
Devil
To annoy, torment, or harass.
Saint
One canonized by the church.
Devil
To tear up (cloth or rags) in a toothed machine.
Saint
To make a saint of; to enroll among the saints by an offical act, as of the pope; to canonize; to give the title or reputation of a saint to (some one).
A large hospital, erected by a shoemaker who has been beatified, though never sainted.
Whether the charmer sinner it or saint it.
Devil
(theology) The chief devil; Satan.
Saint
To act or live as a saint.
Devil
(theology) An evil creature, the objectification of a hostile and destructive force.
Saint
A person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization
Devil
(folklore) A fictional image of a man, usually red or orange in skin color; with a set of horns on his head, a pointed goatee and a long tail and carrying a pitchfork; that represents evil and portrayed to children in an effort to discourage bad behavior.
Saint
Person of exceptional holiness
Devil
The bad part of the conscience; the opposite to the angel.
The devil in me wants to let him suffer.
Saint
Model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
Devil
A wicked or naughty person, or one who harbors reckless, spirited energy, especially in a mischievous way; usually said of a young child.
Those two kids are devils in a toy store.
Saint
Hold sacred
Devil
A thing that is awkward or difficult to understand or do.
That math problem was a devil.
Saint
In the Catholic church; declare (a dead person) to be a saint;
After he was shown to have performed a miracle, the priest was canonized
Devil
Hell.
What in the devil is that?
What the devil is that?
She is having a devil of a time fixing it.
You can go to the devil for all I care.
Saint
A virtuous, kind, and patient person.
He was a saint for tolerating such obnoxious behavior.
Devil
A person, especially a man; used to express a particular opinion of him, usually in the phrases poor devil and lucky devil.
Saint
A person canonized by the Christian church.
Saint Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals.
Devil
A printer's assistant.
Devil
(India) A poltergeist that haunts printing works.
Devil
A dust devil.
Devil
A barren, unproductive and unused area.
Devil strip
Devil
(cookery) A dish, as a bone with the meat, broiled and excessively peppered; a grill with Cayenne pepper.
Devil
A machine for tearing or cutting rags, cotton, etc.
Devil
A Tasmanian devil.
Devil
An endurance event where riders who fall behind are periodically eliminated.
Devil
(nautical) devil seam: {{ngd}}
Devil
To make like a devil; to invest with the character of a devil.
Devil
To annoy or bother.
Devil
To work as a ‘devil’; to work for a lawyer or writer without fee or recognition.
Devil
To prepare (food) with spices, making it spicy:
Devil
To grill with cayenne pepper; to season highly in cooking, as with pepper.
Devil
To finely grind cooked ham or other meat with spices and condiments.
Devil
To prepare a sidedish of shelled halved boiled eggs to whose extracted yolks are added condiments and spices, which mixture then is placed into the halved whites to be served.
She's going to devil four dozen eggs for the picnic.
Devil
The Evil One; Satan, represented as the tempter and spiritual of mankind.
[Jesus] being forty days tempted of the devil.
That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.
Devil
An evil spirit; a demon.
A dumb man possessed with a devil.
Devil
A very wicked person; hence, any great evil.
Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
Devil
An expletive of surprise, vexation, or emphasis, or, ironically, of negation.
The devil a puritan that he is, . . . but a timepleaser.
The things, we know, are neither rich nor rare,But wonder how the devil they got there.
Devil
A dish, as a bone with the meat, broiled and excessively peppered; a grill with Cayenne pepper.
Men and women busy in baking, broiling, roasting oysters, and preparing devils on the gridiron.
Devil
A machine for tearing or cutting rags, cotton, etc.
Devil
To make like a devil; to invest with the character of a devil.
Devil
To grill with Cayenne pepper; to season highly in cooking, as with pepper.
A deviled leg of turkey.
Devil
(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
Devil
One of the evil spirits of traditional Jewish and Christian belief
Devil
A word used in exclamations of confusion;
What the devil
The deuce with it
The dickens you say
Devil
A rowdy or mischievous person (usually a young man);
He chased the young hellions out of his yard
Devil
A cruel wicked and inhuman person
Devil
Cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations;
Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me
It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves
Devil
Coat or stuff with a spicy paste;
Devilled eggs
FAQs
Is the devil considered a real entity in all religions?
Different religions have varying interpretations, and not all view the devil as a real, sentient entity.
Can a living person be called a saint?
Yes, the term "saint" can be used metaphorically to describe a living person's virtuous behavior.
Are all saints canonized?
No, while many saints are canonized, the term can also refer to virtuous individuals not officially recognized by a church.
Is the devil always associated with fear?
Typically, yes. The devil symbolizes evil and is often associated with fear and aversion in various cultures.
Are saints only from Christianity?
While the concept is prominent in Christianity, analogous figures exist in other religions, recognized for their holiness and virtue.
Are all saints perfect?
No, saints are human and fallible, but they are recognized for their outstanding virtue and moral excellence.
Can the concept of the devil represent human vices?
Yes, the devil often symbolizes human vices and moral failings, serving as a metaphor for our inner struggles.
Are there different categories of saints?
Yes, there are categories like martyr saints, confessor saints, and more, each recognized for different virtues and deeds.
Can the term devil be used light-heartedly?
Yes, "devil" can be used in a playful or informal manner to describe mischievous or naughty behavior.
Can the devil represent challenges or difficulties?
Yes, "devil" can metaphorically represent severe challenges, difficulties, or troublesome conditions.
Can the term devil imply cleverness or cunning?
Yes, "devil" can colloquially refer to someone clever, daring, or mischievous.
Can anyone become a saint?
In a religious context, sainthood requires fulfillment of specific criteria, but metaphorically, anyone exhibiting exceptional virtue can be called a saint.
Does every culture have a concept of the devil?
Most cultures have some concept of evil, but the characteristics, names, and narratives about the devil vary widely.
Can the concept of a saint exist outside religious contexts?
Yes, "saint" can be used more broadly to describe anyone who is exceptionally virtuous, kind, or patient, regardless of religious context.
Is sainthood permanent?
In religious contexts, sainthood is typically considered permanent, reflecting enduring recognition of virtue.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
