Does the end really justify the means?
By Jess
@JJ4Ever (4693)
United States
July 22, 2008 1:02pm CST
Do you believe the statement, “The end justifies the means”? Why or why not? As a brief explanation, the quote basically means that no matter how a person accomplishes something, the end result is more important than how he or she got there. What do you think?
3 people like this
6 responses
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
22 Jul 08
If the "end" is the result of hard work and good ethics then I agree with that saying but if it's brought about by unethical behavior or by hurting someone else, then, no, I can't agree with it.
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
14 Sep 08
hi jj! 
i don't believe in that statement. its just like giving reason and justifying twisted means used in achieving a noble objective. like for example, a father stealing money just to provide food for his family. the act of stealing made him a criminal and if the police catches him, he would go to jail and no one would be left to provide food for his children thus worsening the situation. and it so happen that he stole money from someone who needed it for a medical operation of a love one, that makes it more worse. the end won't justify the mean because it will always cause trouble. for oneself and for other people. i believe that as much as possible, we do the right thing to reach our aim. its better if we are not stepping on anybody or doing anything wrong.
i don't believe in that statement. its just like giving reason and justifying twisted means used in achieving a noble objective. like for example, a father stealing money just to provide food for his family. the act of stealing made him a criminal and if the police catches him, he would go to jail and no one would be left to provide food for his children thus worsening the situation. and it so happen that he stole money from someone who needed it for a medical operation of a love one, that makes it more worse. the end won't justify the mean because it will always cause trouble. for oneself and for other people. i believe that as much as possible, we do the right thing to reach our aim. its better if we are not stepping on anybody or doing anything wrong.
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
16 Sep 08
i'm glad you were able to understand what i really mean jj. ^__^ i just think that it is unfair if a person is stepping on people, or taking advantage of people just to reach their goals. thanks for the best response.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
15 Sep 08
I couldn't have said it better myself. Trying to do something good by doing something bad is horrible. It's just as you said, making the situation even worse. Those are completely normal consequences. That's just the way it goes. Your response reminds me of the saying, "Two wrongs don't make a right." It's all very true, and some people choose to find out the hard way. Thanks for your honest and amazing response. Well done, my friend! By the way, I love the example you used also (of the father trying to provide for his family). It made your response so clear and easy to read and understand. Great job!
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12644)
• United States
23 Jul 08
Nope, I don't believe in that statement at all. If you can't accomplish something without taking advantage or hurting or treating others badly, then what good is it. I believe in "what goes around comes around", paybacks are a b!tch. Karma, whatever you want to call it. You will get payed back for the crap you do.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
24 Jul 08
Very well put, Polly! I really enjoyed reading your response. (LOL) I don't believe the statement either. They also say you reap what you sow, you reap later than you sow, and you always reap more than you sow. So...in this case, if a person takes advantage of other people to get on time it's sure going to come back to bite them! Thanks so much for responding. It's always great to read what you have to say about a matter!
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
23 Jul 08
I believe that phrase is a a cop out when people know that they are in the wrong. The end does not ALWAYS justify the means. In most cases when someonesays that the "means" only benefits the person stating that. Is does not benefit the other party or parties. If we stop and think before we do we need not use such empty phrases.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
23 Jul 08
Great thought! You're exactly right too. If we're doing what we do to the best of our ability and for the right reason, we couldn't possibly go wrong. However, I believe wrong is wrong and right is right. Having said that, you either start out right and end right or you're wrong from the beginning and the result is wrong. It brings to mind another saying that two "wrongs" don't make a "right." They don't cancel out one another...like in algebra. (LOL) You hit the subject right between the eyes. Thanks for your wonderful ideas!
@hellcowboy (7374)
• United States
14 Sep 08
I think for the most part the statement the end justifies the means is not right because I believe that how you got there is very important and more important then getting there,because if you sink to a low level and use deceit or meanness to get where you need to get than that is wrong,and that you should only tactics that do not hurt others,unless of course you are in a battle fighting for your life,in that case it is okay to use whatever you need to to survive.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
15 Sep 08
Great answer, HC! I think it's wonderful to read your response because bad things don't bring good things. Using something awful to get good effects is so wrong. I like how you put it to..."you sink to a low level." Great analogy. Thanks and take care, friend!
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
• Lubbock, Texas
22 Jul 08
I agree only if the means are moral, ethical and legal. I do not believe in ANYTHING goes in order to achieve your goal.
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
22 Jul 08
I’m in agreement with your post because it really does matter how you get to a certain place or how you get a certain thing done. If you don’t care how you accomplish a goal, it might not even get accomplished. If it’s not accomplished the proper way, then it’s a waste of time. It’s like building a house. If the house is beautiful on the oustide but has shoddy carpentry on the inside, it’s not even worth the time it takes to build it. If a homeowner-to-be didn’t care how their house was built as long as it looked nice, I’m sure they’d be in for a surprise. The same goes with anything else to which this statement is applied. Thanks for your honest opinion. I couldn’t agree more!
