Dear Reader,

It is often said that “the Devil’s in the details”, meaning that what can betray you lies in the smallest detail, the one you forgot to take care of.

Well, I see two problems with that definition. The first is simple: if the detail is what can reveal our mean schemes and spoil our treacherous plans, then that should be another entity’s work, not the Devil’s!

To address the second problem, start with considering a craft. Let’s say… woodworking. If you need a table, you may just go searching for a wide crude plank and four legs. Four nails later, you have built yourself a table. Are the legs unequal? Fix that with a saw. Is the tabletop not smooth and you risk bruising yourself? Fix it with sanding paper. Are the legs not so stable? Fix that with more nails. Is the table still rocking a little? Add other structures to keep the legs sturdily in place. Then you go on and on forever with wood stain, varnish, more clean cuts, padded legs, fixing more and more details. However, there is always something more to consider, to refine. The only factors stopping you are time and resources.

Do you see the underlying process? At every iteration, you are fixing a detail. Probably a smaller one that the previous. Every new detail brings your construction, your craft and, ultimately, you, to a better level.

Do you want to be a better man? Never overlook the details. Don’t get overwhelmed by them, start with what’s immediately necessary, but remember that there is always a detail to improve upon.

No, Devil’s not in the details, there is something else there.

Until next time, enjoy your summer!