shoulder devil
Conscience's wicked counterpart
A shoulder devil is the imaginary figure perched on one shoulder, urging someone toward selfish or mischievous choices—the counterpart to the shoulder angel advocating virtue on the other side.
The image comes from cartoons depicting moral dilemmas as debates between these tiny advisors: My shoulder devil won and I ate the whole cake.
By extension, any influence tempting someone toward bad behavior.
Minor mischief-making devil
- demonMalevolent supernatural being
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- temptationUrge toward the unwise
- seductionEnticing someone romantically
indulgence · vice · enticement · lure · sin · persuasion · desire · urge
Playfully mischievous in manner
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
- slyCleverly deceptive
- roguishMischievously charming
- playfulInclined toward fun
naughty · puckish · cheeky · rascal · scamp · schemer · sneaky · troublemaker
Divine winged messenger
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- inner voiceUnspoken mental dialogue
- moral compassInner ethical guidance system
right and wrong · good and evil · decision · dilemma · choice · conflict · struggle · judgment
imp
Minor mischief-making devil
- demonMalevolent supernatural being
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- temptationUrge toward the unwise
seduction · indulgence · vice · enticement · lure · sin · persuasion · desire · urge · instigation
impish
Playfully mischievous in manner
playful · naughty · puckish · cheeky · rascal · scamp · schemer · sneaky · troublemaker · rabble-rouser
angel
Divine winged messenger
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- inner voiceUnspoken mental dialogue
moral compass · right and wrong · good and evil · decision · dilemma · choice · conflict · struggle · judgment · discernment
animation
Technique creating movement illusion
horns · tail · miniature · floating · comedy · gag · visual metaphor · halo · wings · cartoon
shoulder devilshoulder angel
Imagined virtuous counselor
conscience · better angels · voice of reason · moral compass · guardian angel
shoulder devilshoulder angel
Imagined virtuous counselor
angel · good angel · guardian angel · cherub · seraph
shoulder, devil, shoulders, shouldered, shouldering, devils, deviled, deviling, devilish