God is in the detail
Encyclopedia
The idiom
"God (is) in the detail (s)" expresses the idea that whatever one does should be done thoroughly; i.e. details are important.
(1886-1969) by The New York Times
in Mies' 1969 obituary, however it is generally accepted to not have originated with him. The expression also appears to have been a favorite of German art historian Aby Warburg
(1866-1929), though Warburg's biographer, E.M. Gombrich, is likewise uncertain if it originated with Warburg. An earlier form "Le bon Dieu est dans le detail" (the good God is in the detail) is generally attributed to Gustave Flaubert
(1821-1880). Bartlett's Familiar Quotations
lists the saying's author as anonymous.
", referring to a catch hidden in the details, and - more recently - "Governing (is) in the Detail(s)", and "(The) Truth (is) in the Detail(s)".
Though the original form most likely had the expression ending with "detail" (sans -s), colloquial usage often ends the idiom as "details". It should be noted that detail, sans -s, can be used as both a singular and collective noun. Additionally, "the" is often added to the popular variant "Devil in the Details" due to the colloquial usage of "the devil", similarly the form "A Devil in the Detail" is also common; most often when referencing a specific catch; "is" can also be dropped from the expression.
Idiom
Idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made...
"God (is) in the detail (s)" expresses the idea that whatever one does should be done thoroughly; i.e. details are important.
Origin
It has been attributed to a number of different individuals, most notably to German-born architect Ludwig Mies van der RoheLudwig Mies van der Rohe
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was a German architect. He is commonly referred to and addressed as Mies, his surname....
(1886-1969) by The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
in Mies' 1969 obituary, however it is generally accepted to not have originated with him. The expression also appears to have been a favorite of German art historian Aby Warburg
Aby Warburg
Abraham Moritz Warburg, known as Aby Warburg, was a German art historian and cultural theorist who founded a private Library for Cultural Studies, the Kulturwissenschaftliche Bibliothek Warburg, later Warburg Institute...
(1866-1929), though Warburg's biographer, E.M. Gombrich, is likewise uncertain if it originated with Warburg. An earlier form "Le bon Dieu est dans le detail" (the good God is in the detail) is generally attributed to Gustave Flaubert
Gustave Flaubert
Gustave Flaubert was a French writer who is counted among the greatest Western novelists. He is known especially for his first published novel, Madame Bovary , and for his scrupulous devotion to his art and style.-Early life and education:Flaubert was born on December 12, 1821, in Rouen,...
(1821-1880). Bartlett's Familiar Quotations
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, often simply called Bartlett's, is an American reference work that is the longest-lived and most widely distributed collection of quotations...
lists the saying's author as anonymous.
Variants
Popular variants include "(The / A) Devil (is) in the Detail (s)The Devil is in the details
The idiom "the devil is in the details" refers to a catch or mysterious element hidden in the details.-Origin:The idiom "the devil is in the details" derives from the earlier phrase, "God is in the detail;" expressing the idea that whatever one does should be done thoroughly; i.e. details are...
", referring to a catch hidden in the details, and - more recently - "Governing (is) in the Detail(s)", and "(The) Truth (is) in the Detail(s)".
Though the original form most likely had the expression ending with "detail" (sans -s), colloquial usage often ends the idiom as "details". It should be noted that detail, sans -s, can be used as both a singular and collective noun. Additionally, "the" is often added to the popular variant "Devil in the Details" due to the colloquial usage of "the devil", similarly the form "A Devil in the Detail" is also common; most often when referencing a specific catch; "is" can also be dropped from the expression.