#23: The End Justifies the Means
The phrase “the end justifies the means” is often linked to Niccolò Machiavelli’s “The Prince,” though these exact words aren’t found in the text. What Machiavelli implied in his 16th-century work revolves around the importance of a ruler’s image over his actual deeds. He advised that a prince should always appear merciful, faithful, humane, upright, and especially religious to the public eye.
Machiavelli emphasized the power of perception, arguing that most people judge based on what they see rather than what they know firsthand. Thus, for leaders, maintaining an image that aligns with these virtues is crucial, as the public tends to measure them by their successes. This guidance subtly suggests that achieving favorable outcomes might sometimes necessitate actions that don’t strictly adhere to these virtues.