Explaining "The end justifies the means"

What does it mean?

The phrase "The end justifies the means" means that if the outcome of an action is beneficial or desirable, then any method, including potentially unethical or immoral actions, used to achieve it can be considered acceptable.

Tone

Origin

The idea is often associated with Niccolò Machiavelli, particularly through interpretations of his work "The Prince" from the 16th century, though he never explicitly used this exact wording.