end justifies the means, the

Cf. [Ovid Heroides ii. 85] exitus acta probat, the outcome justifies the deeds. The negative of this is also often asserted.

The ende good, doeth not by and by make the meanes good.
[1583 G. Babington Exposition of Commandments 260]

The End must justify the Means: He only Sins who Ill intends.
[1718 M. Prior Literary Works (1971) I. 186]

‘The police don't like to have their bodies moved.’‥‘In this case the end justifies the means.’
[1941 ‘H. Bailey’ Smiling Corpse 238]

The conservatives' war on drugs is an example of good intentions that have had unfortunate consequences. As often happens with noble causes, the end justifies the means, and the means of the drug war are inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution and our civil liberties.
[2001 Washington Times 2 Aug. A16]

Related to: action and consequence

Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.

A good outcome excuses any wrongs committed to attain it. For example, He's campaigning with illegal funds on the theory that if he wins the election the end will justify the means, or The officer tricked her into admitting her guilt--the end sometimes justifies the means. This proverbial (and controversial) observation dates from ancient times, but in English it was first recorded only in 1583.