"As soon as men decide that all means are permitted to fight an evil, then their good becomes indistinguishable from the evil that they set out to destroy"

When individuals or societies believe that any and all actions are justified in combating what they see as evil, they risk blurring the moral line between themselves and their adversaries. The pursuit of justice or good, if unconstrained by ethical considerations, can turn into a mirror image of the wrongdoing being opposed. The foundational principle of this idea is the difference between means and ends; moral conduct is not defined solely by the pursuit of noble ends but also by the integrity of the methods employed.

Throughout history, many instances illustrate how noble intentions can become corrupted by unscrupulous tactics. When "all means are permitted", acts such as torture, deception, suppression of free speech, or even violence can become acceptable, justified by the urgency of defeating perceived evil. Yet these methods, rather than eradicating the problem, often perpetuate cycles of violence or oppression. The moral high ground is lost, because the distinction between just and unjust behavior collapses. Those fighting evil risk becoming callous, cruel, or oppressive themselves, embracing the very qualities they claim to abhor.

This dynamic is not limited to grand historical movements but is evident in personal relationships and everyday interactions. Rationalizing harmful behavior by appealing to a greater good, individuals excuse their own lapses in integrity or empathy. The original purpose, to fight wrongdoing, becomes overshadowed by questionable actions, making any claim to moral superiority hollow.

If goodness is to remain meaningful, it must be consistent both in goal and practice. Otherwise, the battle against evil becomes self-defeating. Strategies must respect core ethical boundaries; otherwise, the consequence is a descent into the same amorality, cruelty, or injustice that was the initial target. The true test of virtue lies not just in identifying evil, but in resisting the temptation to adopt evil's methods, thus preserving what is good in the struggle itself.