Looking at an old saying -- Can Good Intentions...

One of the comments made to my article on Intentions reminded me of the old saying, "The path to hell is paved with good intentions." I grew up hearing that, but this time it made me pause.

Even if I did believe in hell (other than here on Earth), I don't know how someone could end up in hell if their actions were backed by good intensions.

What do you think? What is the thinking behind this old saying that I'm missing?

Comments: 5

William W. Aug 29, 2006, 11:06am EDT

The gist of the adage is that your intentions are pretty much meaningless unless they are also supported by action.

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Sara :-) Aug 29, 2006, 11:08am EDT

For me, it means that not everyone appreciates, the good things done for them. When we do good things, we need to accept that the person might not appreciate it or think we are trying for a personal gain, in helping them out. JMO

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Pyrrhonian S. Aug 29, 2006, 11:18am EDT

Perhaps another interpretations is that the actions of good intentions result in negative unintended consequences.

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Shari V. Aug 29, 2006, 11:23am EDT

William, that's it! I remember receiving that explanation as a kid. I knew there was something about the quote that I wasn't remembering right now. It makes sense to me that it's not good enough to just have good thoughts...to hope for the best for someone or for a situation. You have to back it with action. Thanks!

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Shari V. Aug 29, 2006, 11:28am EDT

Sara, your good intentions and actions are not (in my opinion) "rated" by how someone responds. For me the key is looking at my intentions closely. On the surface, they may look like good intentions, but when I look closer, I sometimes realize I had an "ulterior motive" that wasn't pure.

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Looking at an old saying -- Can Good Intentions Lead to Hell?

Comments: 5

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