"Little evil would be done in the world if evil never could be done in the name of good"

This quote by Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach speaks to the idea that people frequently utilize the guise of good intentions to validate their own selfish or harmful actions. It suggests that if individuals were unable to hide behind the veil of great intentions, then there would be much less evil in the world. This is because individuals would be less most likely to do something incorrect if they might not justify it as being for the higher good.

The quote also indicates that people are typically more happy to do something wrong if they can rationalize it as being for the advantage of others. This is since it enables them to feel less guilty about their actions, even if they are eventually damaging. It is a reminder that people need to be careful not to use the guise of good intents to validate their own selfish or malicious actions. Doing so can lead to more damage than good in the long run.