The end justifies the means
The end justifies the means is a paraphrase of Niccolò Machiavelli. It means that if a goal is morally important enough, any method of getting it is acceptable. The idea is ancient, but it was not meant to justify unnecessary cruelty. It was part of a political philosophy called consequentialism. The basic idea is that a policy can be judged by its outcome. All modern versions of consequentialism have to deal with the limitations necessary to prevent tyrants abusing this idea.[1]
The End does not justify the Means
Essentially, this means that one cannot commit a series of knowingly fraudulent and dishonest acts, even if it was purportedly done for an honorable cause. One may not commit harm or evil thinking that in the end, goodness may result from these harmful actions. This means that we must look towards fundamental principles in structures, that are designed for promoting good works and align to the actions that are essential to creating those conditions. One cannot justify violating the fundamental principles of the original intention, because you believe that the outcome will result in some imagined positive goal.
When we compromise our personal integrity, we allow a back door vulnerability for dark force manipulation that many times descends even more darkness and chaos into the situation where we had made the compromise. [2]
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