Meaning of a saying?

Question

what does "the ends justify the means" mean?

Answer 1

It is used to excuse doing something that is questionable. ie. it was ok for me to lie because it got us the correct response.

Answer 2

that would be Machiavelli;

when a morally right action is one that produces a "good" consequence.

for example; if you want to eradicate poverty, then simply wipe out 90% of the population.

if you want to become king, but your brother is the successor, kill him.

the ends (the results) justify the means (how you got that result)

Answer 3

??? the end justifies the meaning of something??