A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

1539 R. TAVERNER tr. Erasmus’ Adages 4 A stronge disease requyreth a stronge medicine. 1600-1 SHAKESPEARE Hamlet IV. iii. 9 Diseases desperate grown By desperate appliance are reliev’d, Or not at all. 1639 J. CLARKE Paramiologia Anglo- Latina 200 Desperate cuts must have desperate cures. 1659 J. RUSHWORTH Hist. Collections 1.120 According to the usual Proverb, A desperate disease must have a desperate remedy. 1748 RICHARDSON Clarissa VI. 292 I must.. have an interview with the charmer of my Soul: For desperate diseases must have desperate remedies. 1935 ‘A. WYNNE’ Toll House Murder ix. These circumstances are wholly exceptional. Desperate diseases, they say, call for desperate remedies. 1961 ‘A. GILBERT’ She shall Die xi. She’d have sold the roof over her head sooner than have you know. Desperate situations require desperate remedies. 2001 W. NORTHCUTT Darwin Awards II 2 Desperate times call for desperate measures, which are often sensible when you consider the bleak alternative. ■ necessity

destiny see HANGING and wiving go by destiny.
destroy see whom the GODS would destroy, they first make mad.
details see the DEVIL is in the details.
The DEVIL can quote Scripture for his own ends
The proverb alludes to the temptation of Christ by the Devil (MATTHEW iv) when the latter quotes a passage from Psalm xci.

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  1596 SHAKESPEARE Merchant of Venice I. iii. 93 The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. An evil soul producing holy witness Is like a villain with a smiling cheek. 1761 C. CHURCHILL Apology 15 Thus Candour’s maxims flow from Rancour’s throat, As devils, to serve their purpose, Scripture quote. 1843 DICKENS Martin Chuzzlewit xi.
  

Is any one surprised at Mr. Jonas making such a reference to such a book for such a purpose? Does any one doubt the old saw that the Devil (being a layman) quotes Scripture for his own ends. 1937 ‘C. DICKSON’ Ten Teacups xiii. The versatile personage in our popular proverbs, who.. quotes Scripture for his own ends. 1997 Washington Times 25 July A4 The devil can quote Scripture, as we all know, so why not a politician? "good and evil; hypocrisy