The quote uses a metaphorical depiction to illustrate the power and influence of intellect and knowledge. “The march of intellect” is a phrase that symbolizes the continuous progression of knowledge and understanding. It implies that the development of intellectual abilities can shape the world, influencing everything and everyone, even the most unlikely or resistant entities, represented here by “the devil.”

Goethe suggests that the power of intellect is so vast that it can reach, influence, and transform even the most evil or corrupt aspects of life. The phrase “licks all the world into shape” is a metaphor for the transformative power of knowledge and understanding. Just as a sculptor might shape a block of stone into a statue, the march of intellect can shape the world, including its most negative elements, into something better.

In today’s context, this quote can be seen as a call for education and intellectual growth as a means to address and improve even the most challenging issues. It suggests that no problem is too great, no situation too dire, and no entity too evil to be beyond the reach and transformative power of knowledge and understanding.

In the context of personal development, this quote can inspire us to continuously seek knowledge and intellectual growth. It suggests that no matter how difficult or negative our circumstances may be, we can use our intellect to understand, address, and ultimately transform them. It also implies that we should never underestimate the power of our intellect to effect change, both in our personal lives and in the world at large.