--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is a means to every end. A root to…" description: "\"There is a means to every end. A root to any cause. Sometimes the root is more evil than any cause, though it's the cause that is usually most vilified..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d66/michael-connelly-1004_causes_there-is-a-means-to-every-end-a-root-to_2175479.jpg" --- # There is a means to every end. A root to any cause… ![“There is a means to every end. A root to any cause. Sometimes the root is more evil than any cause, though it's the cause that is usually most vilified.” quote by Michael Connelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d66/michael-connelly-1004_causes_there-is-a-means-to-every-end-a-root-to_2175479.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d66/michael-connelly-1004_causes_there-is-a-means-to-every-end-a-root-to_2175479.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d66/michael-connelly-1004_causes_there-is-a-means-to-every-end-a-root-to_2175479.jpg) > “There is a means to every end. A root to any cause. Sometimes the root is more evil than any cause, though it's the cause that is usually most vilified.” [Michael Connelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-connelly/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Every outcome has a cause, but sometimes the underlying cause is more harmful than the result it produces. **In simple terms:** Causes can be worse than effects. Key Takeaway Examine hidden motives. Themes ethics causality morality Mood thought‑provoking cautionary Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - investigations - legal cases - personal decisions - conflict resolution Key Concepts Philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - What hidden causes drive your actions? - When should you prioritize outcomes over origins? A Different Perspective Focusing on cause may ignore immediate harm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Roots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roots/) ## Related quotes > [“Lord keep us from evil so that it may not cause us pain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/lord-keep-us-from-evil-so-that-it-may-not-cause-us-pain/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“And still we love the evil cause And of the just effect complain; We tread upon life's broken laws And murmur at our self-inflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/and-still-we-love-the-evil-cause-and-of-the-just-effect-complain-we/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [“The world...is too full of real evil for me at least, to cause one moment of unnecessary uneasiness to any of its poor pilgrims.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-burney/the-world-is-too-full-of-real-evil-for-me-at-least-to-cause-one/) [Frances Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-burney/) > [“Keep me from evil, that I may cause no pain”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-lemons/keep-me-from-evil-that-i-may-cause-no-pain/) Thom Lemons > [ So you think that money is the root of all evil? \[...\] Have you ever asked what is the root of money? 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