"When an action is once done, it is right or wrong for ever; no accidental failure of its good or evil fruits can possibly alter that"

William Kingdon Clifford's quote, "When an action is once done, it is best or wrong for ever; no accidental failure of its excellent or evil fruits can possibly change that", recommends a complicated point of view on the nature of morality and ethical judgment. Clifford posits that the ethical value of an action is intrinsic and immutable, determined at the moment it occurs, independent of its effects or results.

One analysis of this declaration is that it shows a deontological viewpoint, where the morality of an action is grounded in adherence to responsibility, rules, or intrinsic concepts, rather than the effects that follow. Clifford seems to refute consequentialism, the ethical theory that the outcomes of an action determine its moral worth. Rather, he asserts that the moral standing of an act stays fixed, undistorted by any subsequent occurrences or unpredicted effects.

The phrase "unexpected failure of its excellent or wicked fruits" acknowledges that the results of actions can frequently be unpredictable or affected by chance. In spite of this unpredictability, Clifford keeps that the intrinsic morality of the action itself does not change. For example, an action intended to benefit others that results in unintentional damage does not become ethically wrong simply since of its negative outcome. Similarly, an action made with malicious intent does not end up being warranted if it by the way leads to a good outcome.

Clifford's point of view emphasizes intent and principle as main to ethical assessment. It challenges individuals to consider the ethical foundations and objectives behind their actions, advocating for a consistent ethical framework that differs from shifting circumstances. This approach forces a much deeper reflection on the dedications and commitments assisting behavior, insisting on moral stability that is unwavering with time, declaring the notion that ethical actions should be pursued for their own sake, grounded in an unfaltering ethical compass that stands clear of the variability and impulses of fortune.