--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By ethical argument and moral principle…" description: "\"By ethical argument and moral principle the greatest crimes are eventually shown to have been necessary, and, in fact, a signal benefit to mankind.\" — ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec8/zhuangzi-1341_argument_by-ethical-argument-and-moral-principle_2030195.jpg" --- # By ethical argument and moral principle the greatest… ![“By ethical argument and moral principle the greatest crimes are eventually shown to have been necessary, and, in fact, a signal benefit to mankind.” quote by Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec8/zhuangzi-1341_argument_by-ethical-argument-and-moral-principle_2030195.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec8/zhuangzi-1341_argument_by-ethical-argument-and-moral-principle_2030195.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec8/zhuangzi-1341_argument_by-ethical-argument-and-moral-principle_2030195.jpg) > “By ethical argument and moral principle the greatest crimes are eventually shown to have been necessary, and, in fact, a signal benefit to mankind.” [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It suggests that morally questionable actions may be justified by their eventual beneficial outcomes for humanity. **In simple terms:** Bad acts can become necessary for good. Key Takeaway Consider long‑term impacts of decisions. Themes ethics consequentialism philosophy Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - policy making - scientific research - war decisions Key Concepts moral relativism utilitarianism Questions to Reflect On - Is the end always justified? - How to balance intent and outcome? A Different Perspective May excuse harmful means without sufficient scrutiny. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Moral principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-principles/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Signals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/signals/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) ## Related quotes > [“Cracking the safe (excerpt) A poor man must swing For stealing a belt buckle But if a rich man steals a whole state He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/cracking-the-safe-excerpt-a-poor-man-must-swing-for-stealing-a-belt/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Not even the apparently enlightened principle of the 'greatest good for the greatest number' can excuse indifference to individual suffering. 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The heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/sorrow-and-happiness-are-the-heresies-of-virtue-joy-and-anger-lead/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [The enlightened attention rejects nothing nor welcomes anything-like a mirror it responds equally to all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/the-enlightened-attention-rejects-nothing-nor-welcomes-anything-like/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [If a man is crossing the river and an empty boat collides with his skiff, even though he is a bad tempered man he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/if-a-man-is-crossing-the-river-and-an-empty-boat-collides-with-his/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Calculate what man knows and it cannot compare to what he doesn't know. 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He is quiet because the multitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/as-regards-the-quietude-of-the-sage-he-is-not-quiet-because-quietness/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [All existing things are really one. We regard those that are beautiful and rare as valuable, and those that are ugly as foul and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/all-existing-things-are-really-one-we-regard-those-that-are-beautiful/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Now, when ordinary people attempt to find happiness, I am not sure whether the happiness is really happiness or not. I study what ordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/now-when-ordinary-people-attempt-to-find-happiness-i-am-not-sure/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Words exist because of meaning; once you’ve gotten the meaning, you can forget the words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/words-exist-because-of-meaning-once-you-ve-gotten-the-meaning-you-can/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Easy is right. Begin right and you are easy. Continue easy and you are right. The right way to go easy is to forget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/easy-is-right-begin-right-and-you-are-easy-continue-easy-and-you-are/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Hence it demands the emptiness of all the faculties. And when the faculties are empty, then the whole being listens. There is then a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/hence-it-demands-the-emptiness-of-all-the-faculties-and-when-the/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Everything has what is innate,everything has what is necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/everything-has-what-is-innate-everything-has-what-is-necessary/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Where can I find a man who has forgotten words, so I can have a few words with him?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/where-can-i-find-a-man-who-has-forgotten-words-so-i-can-have-a-few/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Standards are different for all things, so the standard set by man is by no means the only 'certain' standard. 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