faustian
Trading soul away
Faustian describes a bargain or arrangement in which someone sacrifices something of lasting value—typically their integrity, soul, or moral principles—in exchange for immediate power, success, or gratification.
The term comes from the legend of Faust, a scholar who sold his soul to the devil.
A Faustian bargain implies the exchange will ultimately prove disastrous, even if initially attractive.
The word suggests willful self-destruction disguised as ambition.
Soul-bargaining demon
- GoetheGerman poet-dramatist, 1749-1832
- devilEvil supernatural entity
- damnationEternal punishment decree
- soulInnermost animating essence
Marlowe · tragedy · legend · Doctor Faustus · Helen · redemption · temptation · knowledge
Agreement or distribution
- pactFormal agreement between parties
- contractEnforceable written agreement
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- trade-offExchange requiring sacrifice
agreement · covenant · wager · arrangement · sacrifice · compromise · terms · price
Concerning right conduct
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- conscienceInternal moral sense
principle · degradation · perdition · downfall · ruin · regret · consequences · destruction
Energy transfer rate
- successFavorable outcome attained
- famePublic recognition, widespread
- wealthAbundance of valuable resources
- achievementAccomplished goal or deed
greatness · glory · genius · mastery · excellence · dominance · immortality · legacy
Mephistopheles
Soul-bargaining demon
- GoetheGerman poet-dramatist, 1749-1832
- devilEvil supernatural entity
- damnationEternal punishment decree
Marlowe · soul · tragedy · legend · Doctor Faustus · Helen · redemption · temptation · knowledge · scholar
deal
Agreement or distribution
- pactFormal agreement between parties
- contractEnforceable written agreement
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
trade-off · agreement · covenant · wager · arrangement · sacrifice · compromise · terms · price · cost
moral
Concerning right conduct
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
conscience · principle · degradation · perdition · downfall · ruin · regret · consequences · destruction · decay
power
Energy transfer rate
- successFavorable outcome attained
- famePublic recognition, widespread
- wealthAbundance of valuable resources
achievement · greatness · glory · genius · mastery · excellence · dominance · immortality · legacy · recognition
faustianfreely given
unconditional · incorruptible · no strings attached · innocent · virtuous
faustiandivine
Of or from gods
blessed · heaven-sent · redemptive · providential · angelic
faustianprudent
Exercising sound judgment
patient · far-sighted · self-sacrificing · long-term · deferred
- Faustian bargainsSacrificing principles for power
- Faustian pactDamnation exchanged for worldly gain