--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As though you could use violent, unjust…" description: "\"“As though you could use violent, unjust means and achieve peace and justice! Means determine ends; and must be like the ends proposed. Means intrinsic..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/aldous-huxley-97_justice_as-though-you-could-use-violent-unjust-m_94904.jpg" --- # As though you could use violent, unjust means and achieve… ![“As though you could use violent, unjust means and achieve peace and justice! Means determine ends; and must be like the ends proposed. Means intrinsically different from the ends proposed achieve ends like themselves, not like those they were meant to achieve.” quote by Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/aldous-huxley-97_justice_as-though-you-could-use-violent-unjust-m_94904.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/aldous-huxley-97_justice_as-though-you-could-use-violent-unjust-m_94904.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/aldous-huxley-97_justice_as-though-you-could-use-violent-unjust-m_94904.jpg) > ““As though you could use violent, unjust means and achieve peace and justice! Means determine ends; and must be like the ends proposed. Means intrinsically different from the ends proposed achieve ends like themselves, not like those they were meant to achieve.”” [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage argues that using violent or unjust means cannot legitimately achieve peace or justice, because the means themselves become ends, undermining the intended outcome. **In simple terms:** Unjust means corrupt the goal. Key Takeaway Means must align with desired ends. Themes ethics politics philosophy Mood serious reflective Type philosophical political When to use this quote - policy formulation - activist strategy Key Concepts means‑ends justification moral integrity Practical Applications - evaluate tactics for ethical consistency Questions to Reflect On - Can a violent act ever be morally justified for a just cause? - How do we assess when means become ends? A Different Perspective In extreme crises, some argue that short‑term harsh measures may prevent greater harm, complicating the absolute stance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Justice Means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice-means-762877/) [Means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/means/) [Means Achieve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/means-achieve-1167186/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Peace and justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace-and-justice/) [Unjust Means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unjust-means-1167185/) [Violent Unjust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent-unjust-1167187/) ## Related quotes > [To commit violent and unjust acts, it is not enough for a government to have the will or even the power; the habits, ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/to-commit-violent-and-unjust-acts-it-is-not-enough-for-a-government/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [During a term in office there are highs and lows, but what counts is that the goal is set as well as the means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/during-a-term-in-office-there-are-highs-and-lows-but-what-counts-is/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [The most effective means are whatever will achieve the desired results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/the-most-effective-means-are-whatever-will-achieve-the-desired-results/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [“...once you recognize, or admit, that your primary goal is to fully express yourself, you will find the means to achieve the rest of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-bennis/once-you-recognize-or-admit-that-your-primary-goal-is-to-fully/) [Warren Bennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-bennis/) > [The first step to achieving your goal, is to take a moment to respect your goal. 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T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright-2/) ## More by Aldous Huxley > [“Unorthodoxy threatens more than the life of a mere individual; it strikes at Society itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/unorthodoxy-threatens-more-than-the-life-of-a-mere-individual-it/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [My fate cannot be mastered; it can only be collaborated with and thereby, to some extent, directed. Nor am I the captain of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/my-fate-cannot-be-mastered-it-can-only-be-collaborated-with-and/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Impulse arrested spills over, and the flood is feeling, the flood is passion, the flood is even madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/impulse-arrested-spills-over-and-the-flood-is-feeling-the-flood-is/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Of course the Dharma-body of the Buddha was the hedge at the bottom of the garden. At the same time, and no less obviously,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/of-course-the-dharma-body-of-the-buddha-was-the-hedge-at-the-bottom/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“The question for the man of sense is: Do we or do we not want to go to hell? And his answer is: No,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/the-question-for-the-man-of-sense-is-do-we-or-do-we-not-want-to-go-to/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“I’ll MAKE you be free whether you want to or not.’ -The Savage”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/i-ll-make-you-be-free-whether-you-want-to-or-not-the-savage/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Thought of the incomprehensible sequence of changes and chances that make up a life, all the beauties and horrors and absurdities whose conjunctions create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/thought-of-the-incomprehensible-sequence-of-changes-and-chances-that/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [The third petition of the Lord's Prayer is repeated daily by millions who have not the slightest intention of letting anyone's will be done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/the-third-petition-of-the-lord-s-prayer-is-repeated-daily-by-millions/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“Then what’s time for?” asked Lenina in some astonishment. Apparently, for going on walks in the Lake District; for that was what he now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/then-what-s-time-for-asked-lenina-in-some-astonishment-apparently-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [All right then," said the Savage defiantly, "I'm claiming the right to be unhappy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/all-right-then-said-the-savage-defiantly-i-m-claiming-the-right-to-be/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Speed, it seems to me, provides the one genuinely modern pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/speed-it-seems-to-me-provides-the-one-genuinely-modern-pleasure/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“What you need is a gramme of soma.” “All the advantages of Christianity and alcohol; none of their defects.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/what-you-need-is-a-gramme-of-soma-all-the-advantages-of-christianity/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [To be enlightened is to be aware, always, of total reality in its immanent otherness - to be aware of it and yet remain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/to-be-enlightened-is-to-be-aware-always-of-total-reality-in-its/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“Quote of the day:Quote of the day: A democracy which makes or even effectively prepares for modern, scientific war must necessarily cease to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/quote-of-the-day-quote-of-the-day-a-democracy-which-makes-or-even/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) [Explore all 1,291 Aldous Huxley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) ## More Justice quotes > [Never fight on the wrong side; you might win but the burden of guilt is more than a loss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilian-salan/never-fight-on-the-wrong-side-you-might-win-but-the-burden-of-guilt/) [Lilian Salan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilian-salan/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. 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Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [“The jailers, the Court, everyone in that building – it wasn’t about justice; it was about obedience and intimidation…about maintaining order. Fear accomplished that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-allan/the-jailers-the-court-everyone-in-that-building-it-wasn-t-about/) [Jay Allan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-allan/) > [Civilized nations are ones that simply can't endure wrongs or injustice except at home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-anderson/civilized-nations-are-ones-that-simply-can-t-endure-wrongs-or/) [Joseph Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-anderson/) > [Time often serves to justify a deed which seems at first unjustifiable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-p-ryan/time-often-serves-to-justify-a-deed-which-seems-at-first-unjustifiable/) [Donald P. 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