“Iedere ketter heeft zijn letter”

Betekenis

This means everyone, no matter how strange their view, can find a reason or proof for it. They usually point to a certain text, rule, or piece of info to back up what they think. It suggests people often pick and choose what they believe to support their own ideas, even if the evidence is weak or taken out of context.

Wanneer gebruik je dit?

You can use this when someone is stubbornly defending an odd or unpopular idea, often by only using parts of the evidence. For example, if a coworker quotes one tiny line from a big report to back up a very bad plan, you might sigh and say: 'Well, iedere ketter heeft zijn letter, I guess.' It also fits when different groups interpret the same history or rules in wildly different ways.

Herkomst

The word 'letter' here refers to Bible parts that people used to justify their different religious beliefs (a 'ketter' was a heretic). Though it started with religion, the saying became common in the 18th century. Now, people use it for any situation where someone selectively uses info to support their own view, not just religious ones.