--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An ultimately evil job. For we are…" description: "\"“An ultimately evil job. For we are attempting to conquer Sauron with the Ring. And we shall (it seems) succeed. But the penalty is, as you will know, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47a/j-r-r-tolkien-204_catholic_an-ultimately-evil-job-for-we-are-attemp_1120155.jpg" --- # An ultimately evil job. For we are attempting to conquer… ![“An ultimately evil job. For we are attempting to conquer Sauron with the Ring. And we shall (it seems) succeed. But the penalty is, as you will know, to breed new Saurons, and slowly turn Men and Elves into Orcs. Not that in real life things are as clear cut as in a story, and we started out with…” quote by J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47a/j-r-r-tolkien-204_catholic_an-ultimately-evil-job-for-we-are-attemp_1120155.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47a/j-r-r-tolkien-204_catholic_an-ultimately-evil-job-for-we-are-attemp_1120155.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47a/j-r-r-tolkien-204_catholic_an-ultimately-evil-job-for-we-are-attemp_1120155.jpg) > ““An ultimately evil job. For we are attempting to conquer Sauron with the Ring. And we shall (it seems) succeed. But the penalty is, as you will know, to breed new Saurons, and slowly turn Men and Elves into Orcs. Not that in real life things are as clear cut as in a story, and we started out with a great many Orcs on our side. (letter 66)”” [J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Attempting to defeat evil can unintentionally create more evil, blurring moral clarity. **In simple terms:** Fighting evil may spawn new evil. Key Takeaway Consider unintended consequences of actions. Themes ethics power unintended consequences Mood thoughtful cautious Type philosophical warning When to use this quote - political decisions - environmental policies - technological development Key Concepts moral philosophy strategic planning Questions to Reflect On - Can good intentions lead to harmful outcomes? - How to balance action with foresight? 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