Your Freedom is Watching You Pee

Outwitting the Devil is a book by Napoleon Hill that wasn't published until after his death, as it was deemed too controversial to release when it was written in 1938, shortly before World War II began in 1939.

In this book, Hill presents a conversation with "the devil," whom he uses as a invisible human for negative forces, self-doubt, and fear. The narrative explores the ways in which these forces keep people from achieving success and fulfillment in life. Through this conversation, Hill provides insights into human behavior, how people often allow themselves to be "driven" by fear, and how they can break free from this cycle.

Hill doesn't present the devil in a religious sense but rather as a symbolic representation of the forces that hold people back—fear, doubt, procrastination, and external influences like societal pressures and negative conditioning. The devil claims that people who don’t examine and challenge their beliefs are vulnerable to his influence. Many of society's beliefs are based on fear and limitation, but if you learn to question them and replace them with empowering beliefs, you can free yourself from the devil’s grip.

The devil tells Hill: This world has half positive energy and half negative energy. Whether in matter or energy, it is negative and positive. I am that half negative energy, residing in the bodies of all those with negative mindset. In both material and spiritual forms, I take up half; I am half of the universe. Without me, there is no universe. So what is the other half? The other half is my enemy, which is the god you all believe in.

Devil continues: God is completely opposite to me. He controls all the optimistic and positive emotions in this world, such as love, hope, and faith that you often talk about. Moreover, God is also responsible for controlling the natural laws of this world, ensuring that everything in the universe operates according to fixed rules, achieving balance. As for me, devil, I have no interest in nature. I excel in controlling the thoughts of living beings, especially human thoughts, which makes me increasingly powerful. Therefore, in the realm of thoughts, I am the strongest existence.

Perhaps the most immediately striking aspect of the book is that Napoleon Hill essentially stages a "real" conversation with the devil. In the book, Hill directly engages the devil in a dialogue where the devil reveals how he controls human behavior through fear, indecision, and negative thought patterns.

The author discovered a weakness of the devil during their conversation, which is to say that people with their own opinions and strong subjective awareness are not so easily controlled.

The devil said: Exactly right. I hate humans who have their own opinions, have ideas, are full of positive energy, are proactive, have firm will, and don't have negative emotions. Such people are hard for me to control. And in this world, only 2% are like that; I will wither away inside them. Moreover, there is an even more detestable group, which consists of those who can inspire others' positive energy, such as the so-called saints, including individuals like you who question devil. However, 98% of people in this world do not think at all and simply obey me.

This portrayal was seen as blasphemous or at least highly unconventional for the time, especially considering that Hill had a wide audience in the early 20th century and many of his readers might have been religious. The idea of a man confronting the devil and challenging him in a direct dialogue was quite bold and unsettling to many.

Hill’s approach also aligns the devil with societal forces like fear of poverty, fear of criticism, and societal conformity, rather than focusing solely on traditional religious concepts of sin or temptation. This was a significant departure from more conventional religious depictions of evil.

In the book, the devil admits to controlling humanity through fear, doubt, indecision, and negative thinking. This concept implies that much of the suffering and failure people experience in life is not the result of external forces alone, but the result of personal choices—particularly the choice to let fear and uncertainty rule their lives.

This notion challenges popular thinking in the 1930s (and even today in some ways) by suggesting that much of what people consider to be "out of their control" is actually within their ability to change, given the right mindset.

Napoleon Hill critiques societal structures and conventional ideas that many people accept without question. He directly criticizes how organized religion can sometimes hinder personal growth by fostering guilt, fear, and a victim mentality. He points out how people are often manipulated by external authorities (whether religious, political, or cultural) into thinking they are helpless.

In his view, people are often taught to rely on others for their success or salvation (whether it’s religious figures, leaders, or institutions), which can lead them to feel disempowered. He advocates for self-reliance, which might be seen as a rejection of traditional religious teachings and doctrines of submission, a sentiment that some readers found troubling.

The book pushes the idea that individuals are responsible for their lives and destinies—this means that each person is accountable for their success or failure, not external forces. This direct challenge to the idea of fate or "victimhood" was considered radical for its time. (If a homosexual were to engage in a conversation with a devil today, how should the devil address the history of homosexuality in "victimhood and radical responsibility?")

When Hill wrote the book, his previous works were widely embraced by mainstream audiences. Think and Grow Rich had made him famous, and he was a well-respected figure in the self-help and personal development community. He risked alienating this audience by embracing such a radical, controversial approach. At the time, discussing the devil in such an explicit and direct way could easily have caused a backlash among more conservative readers.

One of the primary reasons the book wasn't published while Hill was alive is that his publishers were concerned about its potential to provoke controversy, which they feared could damage his reputation and sales.

Some of the language used in the book also sparked controversy. The devil is depicted in a way that some might consider too humanized—as a being that is almost philosophical and reflective. Some readers found it jarring to see the devil speaking in this way, almost as if he were a teacher, revealing his methods for controlling humanity. The devil’s self-justification and his candid admission of his methods also made him seem too much like a victim or a rational being, rather than an embodiment of pure evil. This could have struck some as inconsistent with traditional religious views.

Because Hill’s concepts challenged such deeply held ideas about religion, society, and personal power, some critics were worried that people would misinterpret his ideas. They feared that Hill’s emphasis on self-mastery and independence might encourage people to reject traditional values or religion altogether. The fear was that the book might lead to an individualistic culture where people disregard their social responsibilities and community obligations in favor of selfishness and materialism.

Hill’s challenge to societal norms, traditional religious teachings, and popular conceptions of fate and destiny made the book ahead of its time, but also provocative and controversial.

Outwitting the Devil was written in 1938, just before the onset of World War II, points where the atmosphere surrounding World War II intersect.

In Outwitting the Devil, Hill emphasizes how fear is one of the primary tools the devil uses to control individuals and societies. During the time when Hill wrote the book, the world was on the brink of a major war. Fear of political instability, fear of another world conflict, and fear of totalitarian regimes were growing. The global rise of militarism created an atmosphere of fear that swept across Europe and much of the world. In this climate, the propaganda machines of various regimes fed on these fears to manipulate the masses into supporting war efforts or accepting oppressive regimes.

Hill’s point about how fear can hold people back and create passive compliance is particularly relevant in the context of World War II. Totalitarian regimes often used fear of enemies or foreign powers to justify their actions, and suppress dissent. Hill’s message—urging people to overcome fear and take personal control.

During times of global conflict, many people around the world felt as though they were being swept along by the forces of history—caught in a larger struggle that they did not directly control or fully understand.

The rise of militarism created conditions where many individuals and nations were drifting into war, often without fully understanding the consequences of their actions or the broader ideological struggles at play. In many ways, countries that became involved in World War II were responding to the fears of their people, the ambitions of powerful leaders, and external pressures, rather than acting with a clear, principled purpose.

During times of global conflict, many people often feel powerless in the face of political or military forces. Hill's work urges individuals to break free from the victim mentality—to stop blaming external forces for their troubles, but rather to take control of their inner lives and reshape their reality through their thoughts and actions. This philosophy was particularly resonant in a world caught in the chaos of war, where many felt helpless and overwhelmed by events beyond their control.

In a war-torn world, nations that reacted out of fear, without a clear vision for peace or mutual cooperation, often contributed to prolonging or escalating conflict. Hill’s message could be seen as a call to empower nations to move beyond fear-driven actions toward more thoughtful, purpose-driven choices that prioritize long-term peace and cooperation.

The book’s devil also talks about how he thrives on confusion and division. During the war, the world saw some of the worst divisions in human history: ideologies clashing, cultures torn apart, and societies divided by conflicting beliefs. The devil, in Hill’s framework, feeds off this chaos, as people become more consumed with fear and prejudice.

World War II, for example, wasn’t just a military conflict; it was a battle of ideas. Democracy, and nationalism all vied for supremacy, and the resulting chaos and division allowed extremist ideologies to thrive. Hill’s book speaks to the importance of mental clarity and unity of purpose, which could have been an antidote to the divisive forces driving the war.

After the war, the world was left to reflect on the choices that had led to such widespread destruction. Hill’s book offers an interesting perspective for the post-war generation: it calls on individuals and societies to reflect on their own role in the chaos—how they may have been swayed by fear, indecision, or blind conformity.

The history accumulated in this book has raised a significant question among readers:

Who controls this world?

The term 'Illuminati' is the one most commonly referenced by readers.

The Illuminati is one of the most famous and controversial subjects in conspiracy theories. While the term is often used in popular culture, media, and even politics, its actual historical origins are much more specific and grounded in a real organization. It was created with the aim of promoting rationalism, secularism, and enlightenment ideals in opposition to the influence of religious institutions and the power of monarchies.

The Illuminati was designed as a secret society that recruited members from influential backgrounds, including intellectuals, freemasons, and government officials, they believe in devil. The idea was to create a network of like-minded individuals who would work behind the scenes to reform society according to Enlightenment principles.

The Illuminati has been the subject of countless conspiracy theories. These theories often suggest that the Illuminati, or a similar secret group, continues to secretly control world events, manipulate governments, and guide the course of human history.

The Illuminati is believed by some to secretly control world governments, financial systems, and media outlets, guiding global events to serve their interests. They are often associated with the idea of a New World Order (NWO), which is a supposed plan for a global authoritarian government controlled by elites.

The Illuminati is often accused of manipulating the entertainment industry, especially through symbols and messages embedded in music, movies, and media. Many popular figures, including musicians and celebrities, have been rumored to be involved with the Illuminati. For example, some conspiracy theorists claim that use symbols like the all-seeing eye or the pyramid to signal their membership or allegiance.

Many conspiracy theories suggest that the Illuminati has a hand in starting or controlling major wars, revolutions, and global political events, orchestrating them to increase their power and establish a one-world government.

Some information also associate the Illuminati with occult practices or Satanism. The idea is that the secret society is involved in hidden rituals, which might include symbols like the all-seeing eye, pentagrams, or references to Lucifer. This ties into the idea that the Illuminati is part of a larger, hidden spiritual or supernatural agenda.

One of the most famous symbols associated with the Illuminati is the all-seeing eye, often depicted within a pyramid. This symbol is seen on the Great Seal of the United States, specifically on the U.S. dollar bill.

In the age of the internet, the Illuminati has gained an even larger following, with websites, videos, and social media posts spreading theories about its supposed role in controlling world events. YouTube videos and social media influencers have played a significant role in spreading these theories, with many using the idea of the Illuminati as a form of clickbait or marketing for their content.

In some circles, the concept of the Illuminati is now seen as a symbol of rebellion or manipulative system, often associated with the counterculture or radical movements.

If an organization has the capability to manipulate the world, then the necessary condition for this must be a strong backing that supports the entire organization with the confidence to conquer the world. We speculate that a prerequisite must be the inclusion of military power.

The book's title has drawn interest from numerous paranormal enthusiasts and researchers of supernatural phenomena. Many individuals think that Napoleon Hill genuinely made contact with a devil and communicated with it, as the book seemingly predicted the World War II. Many young people have even attempted supernatural techniques to communicate with devil.

The Corner Game, also known as Square or Four Corners Game is an urban legend game. The game requires four players and can allegedly summon a supernatural entity.

The rule requires four people and an empty room.

1. Clear the room and make sure there are no other people and animals in it.

2. Turn off as many light sources as possible, except for the lights in the empty room.

3. Everyone enters the room and shouts their name three times after entering the room.

4. Designate one person to be the speaker, and no one else but the speaker should speak without permission after this step.

5. Close the door and turn off the lights.

6. Each person chooses a corner to stand and face to the wall; a corner should not have more than one person.

7. Once every corner is occupied as described above, the speaker counts to three then gives the order to move; at this point the four corner individuals rotate (switch corners) in a clockwise direction.

   -The first person moves to the position of the second person and taps the second person's shoulder. Next, the second person repeats the same instruction and moves to the position of the third person to tap the third person's shoulder. The third person also moves to the position of the fourth person to tap the fourth person's shoulder.

   -When the fourth person moves to the position of the first person, there will be an empty spot with no one. A cough is needed to signal the end of one round of the game. During the game, participants are not allowed to look back or have any conversation with anyone.

   "Supernatural" situation: extra person. When the game reaches a certain round, the sound of coughing will disappear, indicating that every corner has been occupied.

• If there is an extra person, the speaker should instruct everyone to gather at the light switch, then each person should speak their own name backwards three times, then turn on the light. After that, open the door and leave the room. Do not speak to the extra person.

  
  

  If a participant suddenly quits halfway through or someone talks to the person who appeared, everyone in the game will encounter misfortune or even die. Many paranormal researchers engage in this game in order to communicate with the fifth person, as this is the most direct way to talk to a devil.

Soon, some people pointed out online that this game is not so-called a supernatural game; it is a leadership game. This game is designed for a fixed number of 4 players, and it requires and threatens participants that once they join, they cannot leave the game at their own discretion; if anyone withdraws, all participants will suffer losses or die. So if there is 1 or 2 participants who betray the rest, the game still holds. For example, if participant1 disguises as extra “person 5” and calculates the order of everyone's moves, then the game can allow participant 1 to control when it ends.

In another version, the fifth person has been present since the start of the game. The fifth person taps each participant’s shoulder in every round, driving the game forward without an end. From start to finish, it was the fifth person playing with the other four, while the four participants were completely unaware of each other's identities at all. This way, the fifth person could completely control the other four and manipulate the entire game process.

Then this game is undoubtedly a game of manipulation.

If gods vanished, would only devils remain in the world? If your freedom watches you pee every day, then the end of freedom is at the moment you pee, not at the moment when freedom is officially terminated.

Angie Boggino

Buenos Aires, Argentina

09:00 PM, Monday

May 12, 2025

Writing Co-edited by Artpendix Team

Artpendix Press