The question is not whether the ends justifies the means, or the means justify the ends, but rather are the ends and the means consistent with each other.

Means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek.

The ends justify the means

He's very consistent. He works hard in both ends of the rink and he has a very hard shot that surprised a lot of people with the way he can shoot the puck. He has a big body. And really he's probably been night in and night out our most consistent player. He has a good frame and good legs. He gets to the front of the net and then he's tough to move.

The means are inconsequential, only the ens matter

You think the end justifies the means, however vile. I tell you: the end is the means by which you achieve it. Today's step is tomorrow's life. Great ends cannot be attained by base means. You've proved that in all your social upheavals. The meanness and inhumanity of the means make you mean and inhuman and make the end unattainable.