the end justifies the means

== English == === Alternative forms === the ends justify the means === Etymology === Widely attributed to Machiavelli's The Prince, which does not use the phrase in the work. A possible source is Ovid's Heroides (ca. 10 BC), which says exitus ācta probat (“the outcome justifies the deeds”). However, its use there is quite likely to have an opposite meaning of outcome proving means were unjustified, based on its context. === Proverb === the end justifies the means Morally wrong actions are sometimes necessary to achieve morally right outcomes; actions can be considered morally right or wrong only by virtue of the morality of the outcome. ==== Usage notes ==== Apart from the negation, a common retort is that immoral or violent means “corrupt the ends”. ==== Related terms ==== by any means end in itself means to an end ways and means ==== Translations ==== === See also === all's fair in love and war consequentialism === References ===