The Greatest Trick The Devil Ever Pulled Quote Origin
Introduction
"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." This quote is one of the most famous lines in movie history. It has been used in countless films, TV shows, books, and even songs. But where did it come from? Who first said it? In this article, we will explore the origin of this iconic quote.
The Usual Suspects
The quote first appeared in the 1995 movie "The Usual Suspects." The film follows a group of criminals who are brought together for a heist, only to discover that they have been manipulated by a mysterious mastermind named Keyser Söze. The quote is spoken by the character Verbal Kint, played by Kevin Spacey, during a climactic scene in which he reveals the true identity of Keyser Söze.
The line has since become one of the most famous movie quotes of all time, and is often cited as one of the greatest plot twists in film history.
The Screenwriter
The man behind the quote is screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie. McQuarrie wrote the screenplay for "The Usual Suspects" and won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1996. The quote was originally written as part of Verbal Kint's dialogue, and was not intended to be a standalone line.
The Inspiration
So where did McQuarrie get the inspiration for the quote? It turns out that he was inspired by a line from the French poet Charles Baudelaire. In Baudelaire's poem "The Generous Gambler," the devil says "My greatest trick is to persuade you that I do not exist."
McQuarrie took this idea and adapted it for the film, turning it into the iconic quote we know today.
The Meaning
So what does the quote actually mean? On the surface, it seems to suggest that the devil is able to deceive people by making them believe that he doesn't exist. But there are deeper meanings at work here as well.
Some interpret the quote as a commentary on the nature of evil. The devil is often seen as a symbol of evil, and the quote suggests that evil can be much more insidious than we realize. By convincing us that it doesn't exist, evil is able to operate in the shadows and exert its influence without our knowledge.
Others see the quote as a statement on the power of belief. If we believe that something doesn't exist, then we are less likely to look for it or take action against it. In this way, the devil's greatest trick is not just to convince us that he doesn't exist, but to convince us that evil itself doesn't exist.
Conclusion
"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." This iconic quote has its origins in the mind of screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie, who adapted it from a line by the French poet Charles Baudelaire. The quote has become a cultural touchstone, and continues to resonate with audiences today.
Whether you interpret the quote as a commentary on the nature of evil or a statement on the power of belief, one thing is clear: it has stood the test of time and remains one of the most memorable lines in movie history.
