Cruelty is a devil's delight.

The proverb condemns taking pleasure in another person's suffering. It treats enjoyment of harm as a moral failing beyond the harm itself.

The image of the devil gives the judgment its force: delight in cruelty is presented as something wicked, not something to admire or excuse.

Use this proverb to condemn behavior that seems deliberately hurtful, especially when someone appears pleased by another person's distress. Its strong moral judgment suits serious cruelty rather than a minor slight or an honest mistake.