non facias malum ut inde fiat bonum
you should not make evil in order that good may be made from it
Notes
More simply, "don't do wrong to do right". The direct opposite of the phrase "the ends justify the means".
Words
- facis – a bundle, packet
- bona – blessings as well as material properties, gifts, good qualities
- mala – jaw
- non – not
- inde – for that reason, from there, then, thence, thenceforth, thereafter
- malo – prefer, to choose
- indo – cause, occasion, to establish
- facio – be of service, help, suffer, suit, to experience, to give permission, to sacrifice
- male – wickedly, with evil intent