The Honest Man and the Devil
A man makes a deal with the devil to be honest for one day. He is rewarded with wealth and success but struggles with the moral implications of his actions. The story explores the tension between honesty and self-interest, highlighting the difficulties of maintaining integrity in the face of temptation.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1923 · Genre: Satire, Fantasy, Moral Tale · 2,170 words
First lines
A man who prided himself very justly upon his uncompromising temper and love of truth had the misfortune the other night to wake at about three o'clock in the morning and to see the Devil standing by his bedside, who begged him that he (the Honest Man) should sell him (the Devil) his soul.
"I will do nothing of the kind," said the Honest Man in a mixture of sleepiness and alarm.
What this Textopian page supports
The Honest Man and the Devil is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1923 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1923 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Fantasy, Moral Tale, Comedy, Short Story
- Length: 2,170 words
- Structure: 1 section, 53 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Honest Man and the Devil by Hilaire Belloc
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Honest Man and the Devil?
- How does this short story by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Imp And The Crust by Leo Tolstoy
- A Moral Little Tale by Lord Dunsany
- The Duck And The Moon by Leo Tolstoy
- Feathertop A Moralized Legend by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- The Ass And The Horse by Leo Tolstoy
- A Righteous Outburst by O. Henry
Genres
- Satire — The story uses humor and irony to critique human nature and societal norms, particularly through the exaggerated honesty of the protagonist.
- Fantasy — The presence of the Devil as a character introduces supernatural elements, placing the story within the fantasy genre.
- Moral Tale — The narrative explores themes of integrity and the consequences of truthfulness, offering a moral lesson.
- Comedy — The absurdity of the situations and the protagonist's interactions with the Devil provide comedic elements.
Tags
Fable · Moralism · Satire · Philosophy · Literary Fiction · Short Story Collection · Humor · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Morality Tale · Fantasy · Supernatural Elements