What does "The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions" mean? (Clinton, economy)

[springfieldva]

Originally Posted by Asheville1

Hitler probably thought he had good intentions.

Hitler thought that he was right and that the end justified the means (that's what I meant to say earlier). He was able to rationalize the mass murder of innocent people. Chilling.

[rubyshark]

I've always thought it meant that people do horrible, horrible things for reasons they see as noble.

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

This thread was NOT meant to be religious, or I would have put it under Religions. I was talking about practical applications.

Of course but the quote is of a religious nature. And what is more practical than doing good

Originally Posted by DRob4JC

Just for reference - doing deeds does not get you heaven - a relationship with Jesus Christ alone will get you to heaven. But the product of that relationship should result in doing good deeds.

I don't believe in 'heaven' -I am just explaining what I think the quote means.

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by Asheville1

Hitler probably thought he had good intentions.

Hitler's road to hell was not paved with good intentions. It was paved with insanity and thoughtlessness, and alot of horrible excuses.

[thriftylefty]

Originally Posted by rubyshark

I've always thought it meant that people do horrible, horrible things for reasons they see as noble.

I like this definition particularly in these economic times. I don't think anyone back in the 90's thought credit defaults swaps would end up like this.
Only a few people in the financial world truly understood CDS, and I am not saying they thought what they were doing was noble,they thought CDS were a new an innovative economic vehicle to offer investors.

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

A very level-headed post. Also, thank you for omitting the tie-over to organized religion which, while applicable, isn't suitable for everyone here, and that's why I put this question on "Great Debates."

I did have that religious thought process in the back of my head. However, I didn't interject.

I've never believed that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. I never believed that the road to hell started with good intentions. It starts with being reckless. It starts with excuses, and with thoughtlessness and lack of regard for consequences. One has to be discerning about what is done.

[Asheville1]

Originally Posted by green_mariner

Hitler's road to hell was not paved with good intentions. It was paved with insanity and thoughtlessness, and alot of horrible excuses.

You miss the point.

[Weatherfan2]

To me it is the same as when people say "the end justifies the means". The end result seems worthy and noble and good but if what is being done to achieve the goal is anything less then that's where the phrase becomes valid. An example, people using violence to try and create "peace".

[virgode]

Its an oxymoron, there are no good intentions on the road to hell.

Not much different from the adage "Nice People Create Problems for Themselves and Others".