A good End cannot sanctify evil Means; nor must we ever do…
“A good End cannot sanctify evil Means; nor must we ever do Evil, that Good may come of it.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Good cannot be achieved by sanctifying evil; evil must not be used as a means to good.
In simple terms: Good cannot be built on evil.
Key Takeaway
Reject evil as a tool.
Themes
morality
ethics
means to ends
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- lawmaking
- activism
- personal decisions
Key Concepts
philosophy
theology
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it tempting to use bad means for good?
- How to stay ethical under pressure?
A Different Perspective
Sometimes evil appears beneficial in the short term.