--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is no greater fallacy than the…" description: "\"There is no greater fallacy than the belief that aims and purposes are one thing, while methods and tactics are another ... All human experience teache..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56c/emma-goldman-774_aim_there-is-no-greater-fallacy-than-the-bel_1126345.png" --- # There is no greater fallacy than the belief that aims and… ![“There is no greater fallacy than the belief that aims and purposes are one thing, while methods and tactics are another ... All human experience teaches that methods and means cannot be separated from the ultimate aim.” quote by Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56c/emma-goldman-774_aim_there-is-no-greater-fallacy-than-the-bel_1126345.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56c/emma-goldman-774_aim_there-is-no-greater-fallacy-than-the-bel_1126345.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56c/emma-goldman-774_aim_there-is-no-greater-fallacy-than-the-bel_1126345.png) > “There is no greater fallacy than the belief that aims and purposes are one thing, while methods and tactics are another ... All human experience teaches that methods and means cannot be separated from the ultimate aim.” [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that ends and means are inseparable; ethical means are essential to achieve just ends. **In simple terms:** You cannot separate goals from the ways you achieve them. Key Takeaway Align methods with values for genuine change. Themes ethics politics philosophy activism Mood thought‑provoking reflective serious Type philosophical ethical activist When to use this quote - activist planning - policy design - ethical decision‑making - educational curricula Key Concepts means‑ends consistency integrity social justice Questions to Reflect On - Can ethical means ever compromise urgent goals? - What compromises are acceptable in pursuit of justice? A Different Perspective Idealistic alignment can be impractical in urgent crises. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Fallacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fallacy/) [Great libertarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-libertarian/) [Human experience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-experience/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Libertarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/libertarian/) [Libertarianism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/libertarianism/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Tactics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tactics/) ## Related quotes > [The greatest educational dogma is also its greatest fallacy: the belief that what must be learned can necessarily be taught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/the-greatest-educational-dogma-is-also-its-greatest-fallacy-the/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [“To uphold a tenet that contradicts reason is to undermine one’s credibility. To contradict empirical evidence is a still greater fallacy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-uphold-a-tenet-that-contradicts-reason-is-to-undermine-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Methods and means cannot be separated from the ultimate aim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/methods-and-means-cannot-be-separated-from-the-ultimate-aim/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [My ultimate aim is to make euthanasia a positive experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kevorkian/my-ultimate-aim-is-to-make-euthanasia-a-positive-experience/) [Jack Kevorkian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kevorkian/) > [The ultimate aim of the ego is not to see something, but to be something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-iqbal/the-ultimate-aim-of-the-ego-is-not-to-see-something-but-to-be/) [Muhammad Iqbal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-iqbal/) > [Concentrate on your goals. Do not allow other thoughts to enter your mind. If you allow them to, other things could take your concentration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/concentrate-on-your-goals-do-not-allow-other-thoughts-to-enter-your/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [Genuine inner freedom is the ultimate aim of life. It is the unspoken goal of every thought you have and every action you take.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-simon/genuine-inner-freedom-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-life-it-is-the-unspoken/) [David Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-simon/) > [The ultimate aim of all creative activity is the building!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-gropius/the-ultimate-aim-of-all-creative-activity-is-the-building/) [Walter Gropius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-gropius/) > [The ultimate aim in life should be to fulfill to the utmost all that within our ability and to share that which is good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yehudi-menuhin/the-ultimate-aim-in-life-should-be-to-fulfill-to-the-utmost-all-that/) [Yehudi Menuhin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yehudi-menuhin/) > [I believe the ultimate aim of all human beings is to obtain happiness and a sense of fulfillment... I have always stressed the importance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-believe-the-ultimate-aim-of-all-human-beings-is-to-obtain-happiness/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [My only ultimate aim is to bring back the lost glory of Indian hockey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandeep-singh/my-only-ultimate-aim-is-to-bring-back-the-lost-glory-of-indian-hockey/) [Sandeep Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandeep-singh/) > [Our ultimate aim in life is not to be healthy, wealthy, prosperous, or problem free. Our ultimate aim in life is to bring glory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-graham-lotz/our-ultimate-aim-in-life-is-not-to-be-healthy-wealthy-prosperous-or/) [Anne Graham Lotz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-graham-lotz/) > [Yoga's ultimate intent is to achieve something far deeper and more meaningful than just a better body or less stress and tension. Its ultimate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-stryker/yoga-s-ultimate-intent-is-to-achieve-something-far-deeper-and-more/) [Rod Stryker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-stryker/) > [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) > [“The ultimate aim of reality is to become science fiction!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-of-kittim/the-ultimate-aim-of-reality-is-to-become-science-fiction/) [Eli Of Kittim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-of-kittim/) ## More by Emma Goldman > [Poor human nature, what horrible crimes have been committed in thy name! All wars are wars among thieves who are too cowardly to fight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/poor-human-nature-what-horrible-crimes-have-been-committed-in-thy/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [“Do not all theists insist that there can be no morality, no justice, honesty or fidelity without the belief in a Divine Power? Based…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/do-not-all-theists-insist-that-there-can-be-no-morality-no-justice/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [Lack of fairness to an opponent is essentially a sign of weakness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/lack-of-fairness-to-an-opponent-is-essentially-a-sign-of-weakness/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [Do not all theists insist that there can be no morality, no justice, honesty or fidelity without the belief in a Divine Power? Based…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/do-not-all-theists-insist-that-there-can-be-no-morality-no-justice-2/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [Only when human sorrows are turned into a toy with glaring colors will baby people become interested - for a while at least. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/only-when-human-sorrows-are-turned-into-a-toy-with-glaring-colors/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [More pernicious than the power of a dictator is that of a class; the most terrible - the tyranny of a majority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/more-pernicious-than-the-power-of-a-dictator-is-that-of-a-class-the/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [Love, the strongest and deepest element in all life, the harbinger of hope, of joy, of ecstasy; love, the definer of all laws, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/love-the-strongest-and-deepest-element-in-all-life-the-harbinger-of/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [Whether our reformers admit it or not, the economic and social inferiority of women is responsible for prostitution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/whether-our-reformers-admit-it-or-not-the-economic-and-social/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [The free expression of the hopes and aspirations of a people is the greatest and only safety in a sane society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/the-free-expression-of-the-hopes-and-aspirations-of-a-people-is-the/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [Someone has said that it requires less mental effort to condemn than to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/someone-has-said-that-it-requires-less-mental-effort-to-condemn-than/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [The persecution of the innovator and protestant has always been inspired by fear on the part of constituted authority of having its infallibility questioned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/the-persecution-of-the-innovator-and-protestant-has-always-been/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [Order derived through submission and maintained by terror is not much of a safe guaranty; yet that is the only "order" that governments have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/order-derived-through-submission-and-maintained-by-terror-is-not-much/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [Today is the parent of tomorrow. The present casts its shadow far into the future. That is the law of life, individual and social.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/today-is-the-parent-of-tomorrow-the-present-casts-its-shadow-far-into/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [Salvation lies in an energetic march onward towards a brighter and clearer future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/salvation-lies-in-an-energetic-march-onward-towards-a-brighter-and/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [The more hideous the mental contortions, the greater the delight and bravos of the mass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/the-more-hideous-the-mental-contortions-the-greater-the-delight-and/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) [Explore all 368 Emma Goldman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) ## More Aim quotes > [If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-aim-at-nothing-you-will-hit-it-every-time/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The Christian man must aim at that complete obedience to God in which life finds its highest happiness, its greatest good, its perfect consummation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barclay/the-christian-man-must-aim-at-that-complete-obedience-to-god-in-which/) [William Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barclay/) > [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [In Bosnia, little children shot in the head by a guy who thinks it's okay to aim his gun at a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-amanpour/in-bosnia-little-children-shot-in-the-head-by-a-guy-who-thinks-it-s/) [Christiane Amanpour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-amanpour/) > [Design certainly has a cosmetic, aesthetic aim. It always aims at making things beautiful. But relevance is just as important. I often say, 'If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-behar/design-certainly-has-a-cosmetic-aesthetic-aim-it-always-aims-at/) [Yves Behar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-behar/) > [My aim was to make money for the bank. You lose track of the amounts involved when you are engaged in this kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-kerviel/my-aim-was-to-make-money-for-the-bank-you-lose-track-of-the-amounts/) [Jerome Kerviel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-kerviel/) > [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [My main aim has always been to do good quality films with roles that have some substance. With Power and Beauty there were loads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-henstridge/my-main-aim-has-always-been-to-do-good-quality-films-with-roles-that/) [Natasha Henstridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-henstridge/) > [ I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback \[in "The Invisible Woman"\]. Ralph \[Fiennes\] was very open to my input,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-watching-rushes-and-playback-in/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [My aim is to be counted among the top players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babar-azam/my-aim-is-to-be-counted-among-the-top-players/) [Babar Azam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babar-azam/) > [The single aim of my life is that every child is: free to be a child, free to grow and develop, free to eat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-satyarthi/the-single-aim-of-my-life-is-that-every-child-is-free-to-be-a-child/) [Kailash Satyarthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-satyarthi/) > [The aim of good prose words is to mean what they say. The aim of good poetical words is to mean what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-aim-of-good-prose-words-is-to-mean-what-they-say-the-aim-of-good/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) Browse all 3,047 Aim quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is no greater fallacy than the belief that aims and purposes are one thing, while methods and tactics are another ... All human experience teaches that methods and means cannot be separated from the ultimate aim.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Emma Goldman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/there-is-no-greater-fallacy-than-the-belief-that-aims-and-purposes/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Aim" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/there-is-no-greater-fallacy-than-the-belief-that-aims-and-purposes/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56c/emma-goldman-774_aim_there-is-no-greater-fallacy-than-the-bel_1126345.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56c/emma-goldman-774_aim_there-is-no-greater-fallacy-than-the-bel_1126345.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56c/emma-goldman-774_aim_there-is-no-greater-fallacy-than-the-bel_1126345.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is no greater fallacy than the belief that aims and purposes are one thing, while methods and tactics…” — Emma Goldman", "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": "Emma Goldman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There is no greater fallacy than...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/there-is-no-greater-fallacy-than-the-belief-that-aims-and-purposes/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/there-is-no-greater-fallacy-than-the-belief-that-aims-and-purposes/#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 } } ] } ```