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This perversion of the ethical values soon crystallized into the all-dominating slogan of the Communist Party: THE END JUSTIFIES ALL MEANS. Similarly in the past the Inquisition and the Jesuits adopted this motto and subordinated to it all morality. It avenged itself upon the Jesuits as it did upon the Russian Revolution. In the wake of this slogan followed lying, deceit, hypocrisy and treachery, murder, open and secret. It should be of utmost interest to students of social psychology that two movements as widely separated in time and ideas as Jesuitism and Bolshevism reached exactly similar results in the evolution of the principle that the end justifies all means. The historic parallel, almost entirely ignored so far, contains a most important lesson for all coming revolutions and for the whole future of mankind.

Emma Goldman#28

RevolutionEthicsMoralityCorruption

About this quote

What does it mean?
Using the end to justify any means leads to lying and corruption regardless of ideology.
In plain terms
Justifying any means for a goal causes corruption.
What can you take from it?
Maintain ethical standards to achieve goals.

Where it applies

  • political movements
  • leadership
  • strategic planning

Putting it to work

  • uphold ethics
  • avoid shortcuts
  • value integrity

Questions to consider

  • Are there ever exceptions to ethical conduct?
  • Why do ideologies end up alike?

Another view

Some situations may require compromising values for survival.

More from Emma Goldman

  1. With the conception that the Revolution was only a means of securing political power, it was inevitable that all revolutionary values should be subordinated to…

    Permalink to quote #27
  2. There is no greater fallacy than the belief that aims and purposes are one thing, while methods and tactics are another, This conception is a potent menace to …

    Permalink to quote #29
  3. In its mad passion for power, the Communist State even sought to strengthen and deepen the very ideas and conceptions which the Revolution had come to destroy.…

    Permalink to quote #26

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