Small, seemingly minor details can cause major problems or complications if not carefully attended to.
This phrase is actually a twist on the older saying 'God is in the details,' attributed to architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in the mid-20th century. The 'devil' version emerged later as a warning about how overlooked specifics can derail larger plans, playing on the contrast between divine perfection and demonic mischief.
The evolution from 'God is in the details' to 'the devil is in the details' reflects a shift from celebrating meticulous craftsmanship to warning about potential pitfalls. Both versions acknowledge that details matter enormously, but they approach this truth from opposite emotional angles - reverence versus caution.
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