--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have wrought great use out of evil tools." description: "\"I have wrought great use out of evil tools.\" — Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d0/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron_evil_i-have-wrought-great-use-out-of-evil-too_487153.jpg" --- # I have wrought great use out of evil tools. ![“I have wrought great use out of evil tools.” quote by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d0/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron_evil_i-have-wrought-great-use-out-of-evil-too_487153.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d0/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron_evil_i-have-wrought-great-use-out-of-evil-too_487153.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d0/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron_evil_i-have-wrought-great-use-out-of-evil-too_487153.jpg) > “I have wrought great use out of evil tools.” [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Using harmful means for beneficial ends can be justified if the outcome outweighs the means. **In simple terms:** Bad tools can produce good results. Key Takeaway Consider ethical implications of means and ends. Themes ethics means and ends utilitarianism Mood thoughtful cautious Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - political strategy - scientific research - business competition - personal problem solving Key Concepts moral calculus instrumental value Questions to Reflect On - Is the end always worth the means? - How do you assess the moral cost? A Different Perspective May lead to unintended negative consequences or moral erosion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Tools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tools/) ## Related quotes > [Time is so precious & so great,use it well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oluwatayo-oluwatoyosi/time-is-so-precious-so-great-use-it-well/) [Oluwatayo Oluwatoyosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oluwatayo-oluwatoyosi/) > [The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/the-great-use-of-life-is-to-spend-it-for-something-that-will-outlast-2/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [Great use they have, when in the hands Of one like me, who understands, Who understands the time and place, The person, manner, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-churchill/great-use-they-have-when-in-the-hands-of-one-like-me-who-understands/) [Charles Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-churchill/) > [Capital as such is not evil; it is its wrong use that is evil. Capital in some form or other will always be needed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/capital-as-such-is-not-evil-it-is-its-wrong-use-that-is-evil-capital/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Capital as such is not evil; it is its wrong use that is evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/capital-as-such-is-not-evil-it-is-its-wrong-use-that-is-evil/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [One cannot use an evil action with reference to a good intention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/one-cannot-use-an-evil-action-with-reference-to-a-good-intention/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [“to take something that was meant for good and use it to do evil is a sin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanda-hahn/to-take-something-that-was-meant-for-good-and-use-it-to-do-evil-is-a/) [Chanda Hahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanda-hahn/) > [“A sword is only as good, or as evil, as its user. In good hands it defends the helpless and brings justice. In evil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-a-gilbert/a-sword-is-only-as-good-or-as-evil-as-its-user-in-good-hands-it/) Robert J.A. Gilbert > [“People are given full freedom of decision-making Some use it for good and be good Some use it for evil, and be evil When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/slobodan-boban-manic/people-are-given-full-freedom-of-decision-making-some-use-it-for-good/) [Slobodan Boban Manic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/slobodan-boban-manic/) > [I'm attracted to the garden, without a doubt, but I always try and image the wolf that's there, too. And that wolf would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-light/i-m-attracted-to-the-garden-without-a-doubt-but-i-always-try-and/) [Michael Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-light/) > [It's not that the (social media) tools themselves inspire trust and collaboration. We use them as a medium to connect, and thus generate trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-white/it-s-not-that-the-social-media-tools-themselves-inspire-trust-and/) Nancy White > [Advertising justifies its existence when used in the public interest-it is much too powerful a tool to use solely for commercial purposes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-gossage/advertising-justifies-its-existence-when-used-in-the-public-interest/) [Howard Gossage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-gossage/) > [I tend to lose myself in the moment. I’m not very good at holding back. I don’t know how to do this without feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-welch/i-tend-to-lose-myself-in-the-moment-i-m-not-very-good-at-holding-back/) [Florence Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-welch/) > [Intellect in the practice room or studio gives you the tools to use your heart on stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manny-laureano/intellect-in-the-practice-room-or-studio-gives-you-the-tools-to-use/) Manny Laureano > [With Gnaw I was thinking about traditional sculpture, about carving. I was also interested in figurative sculpture. I put those two ideas together and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janine-antoni/with-gnaw-i-was-thinking-about-traditional-sculpture-about-carving-i/) Janine Antoni ## More by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton > [Only by the candle, held in the skeleton hand of Poverty, can man read his own dark heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/only-by-the-candle-held-in-the-skeleton-hand-of-poverty-can-man-read/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [Law dies, books never.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/law-dies-books-never/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [It is a very high mind to which gratitude is not a painful sensation. If you wish to please, you will find it wiser…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/it-is-a-very-high-mind-to-which-gratitude-is-not-a-painful-sensation/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [The same refinement which brings us new pleasures exposes us to new pains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/the-same-refinement-which-brings-us-new-pleasures-exposes-us-to-new/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [In science, address the few, in literature the many. In science, the few must dictate opinion to the many; in literature, the many, sooner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/in-science-address-the-few-in-literature-the-many-in-science-the-few/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [Earnest men never think in vain, though their thoughts may be errors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/earnest-men-never-think-in-vain-though-their-thoughts-may-be-errors/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [Philosophers have done wisely when they have told us to cultivate our reason rather than our feelings, for reason reconciles us to the daily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/philosophers-have-done-wisely-when-they-have-told-us-to-cultivate-our/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [He that fancies himself very enlightened, because he sees the deficiencies of others, may be very ignorant, because he has not studied his own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/he-that-fancies-himself-very-enlightened-because-he-sees-the/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [I did not fall into love - I rose into love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/i-did-not-fall-into-love-i-rose-into-love/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [Nothing ages like laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/nothing-ages-like-laziness/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [Each man forms his duty according to his predominant characteristic; the stern require an avenging judge; the gentle, a forgiving father. Just so the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/each-man-forms-his-duty-according-to-his-predominant-characteristic/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [What's money without happiness?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/what-s-money-without-happiness/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [The more a man desirous to pass at a value above his worth can contrast, by dignified silence, the garrulity of trivial minds, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/the-more-a-man-desirous-to-pass-at-a-value-above-his-worth-can/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [He who esteems trifles for themselves is a trifler; he who esteems them for the conclusions to be drawn from them, or the advantage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/he-who-esteems-trifles-for-themselves-is-a-trifler-he-who-esteems/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [The strong and virtuous admit no destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/the-strong-and-virtuous-admit-no-destiny/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) [Explore all 337 Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) ## More Evil quotes > [I've always been fascinated by the idea that there's no such thing as evil; it's all in your point of view. To one group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/i-ve-always-been-fascinated-by-the-idea-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as/) [Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/) > [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [I do conscientiously and sincerely believe that the Order of Freemasonry, if not the greatest, is one of the greatest moral and political evils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/i-do-conscientiously-and-sincerely-believe-that-the-order-of/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [What is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-is-done-out-of-love-always-takes-place-beyond-good-and-evil/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to \[be\] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be-evil-has-to-be-confronted-and/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [The evil which does me no harm is like the good which in no wise avails me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/the-evil-which-does-me-no-harm-is-like-the-good-which-in-no-wise/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Somewhere somebody must have some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. And it is all a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/somewhere-somebody-must-have-some-sense-men-must-see-that-force/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nayler/there-is-a-spirit-which-i-feel-that-delights-to-do-no-evil-nor-to/) James Nayler > [The politician attempts to remedy the evil by increasing the very thing that caused the evil in the first place: legal plunder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-politician-attempts-to-remedy-the-evil-by-increasing-the-very/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [“Water is so friendly when you have it on your palms, but so evil when they have you on theirs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/water-is-so-friendly-when-you-have-it-on-your-palms-but-so-evil-when/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [THE ART OF PEACE is not easy. It is a fight to the finish, the slaying of evil desires and all falsehood within. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/the-art-of-peace-is-not-easy-it-is-a-fight-to-the-finish-the-slaying/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) [Browse all 11,163 Evil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have wrought great use out of evil tools.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/i-have-wrought-great-use-out-of-evil-tools/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Evil" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/i-have-wrought-great-use-out-of-evil-tools/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d0/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron_evil_i-have-wrought-great-use-out-of-evil-too_487153.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d0/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron_evil_i-have-wrought-great-use-out-of-evil-too_487153.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d0/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron_evil_i-have-wrought-great-use-out-of-evil-too_487153.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have wrought great use out of evil tools.” — Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I have wrought great use out...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/i-have-wrought-great-use-out-of-evil-tools/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/i-have-wrought-great-use-out-of-evil-tools/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```