Non facias malum ut inde fiat bonum
“You should not do evil so that good may come of it.”
Legal maxim (cf. Romans 3:8)
What does “Non facias malum ut inde fiat bonum” mean?
Non facias malum ut inde fiat bonum translates as “You should not do evil so that good may come of it.”
A good goal does not justify wrong means – the opposite of ‘the end justifies the means’.
“Non facias malum ut inde fiat bonum” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Non | not | negative adverb; with the subjunctive it forms a prohibition |
| facias | you should do | 2nd person singular present subjunctive (active) of facio, “I do, make”; a jussive/prohibitive subjunctive, “you are not to do” |
| malum | evil | accusative singular neuter of malum, “evil, a bad thing”; direct object of facias |
| ut | so that | conjunction introducing a purpose clause, here followed by the subjunctive |
| inde | from it, from there | adverb: “from that, as a result of it” |
| fiat | may come about | 3rd person singular present subjunctive of fio, “I become, am made, happen”; the passive of facio |
| bonum | good | nominative singular neuter of bonum, “good, a good thing”; subject of fiat |
How to pronounce “Non facias malum ut inde fiat bonum”
The only real difference is in facias, where the c is a hard k in Classical Latin and a ch in Church Latin. The stress falls on the first syllable of facias and malum, and on the second of fiat is not marked: say FEE-aht with the stress on fi.
The story behind it
Word for word the maxim reads “do not do evil, so that good may come from it”. It is a legal and moral saying whose exact origin is uncertain, so it is best described as a maxim rather than credited to one author.
It clearly echoes Romans 3:8, where Paul rejects the claim that one may do evil so that good may come. The Latin wording is close to the way this idea was phrased in the Vulgate tradition and in later moral and legal teaching.
The maxim is the direct opposite of the idea that the end justifies the means. In ethics, law and politics it is quoted to argue that a good aim never excuses a wrong method.
How to use “Non facias malum ut inde fiat bonum”
It suits a speech, essay or caption about ethics, justice or integrity, especially when arguing against shady means for a good cause. It also works as a personal motto, a tattoo or a desk reminder to keep your methods clean.
- Latin
- Non facias malum ut inde fiat bonum
- English
- You should not do evil so that good may come of it.
- Source
- Legal maxim (cf. Romans 3:8)
- Era
- Early Modern
- Theme
- Justice
Common mistakes
- Do not read it as a plain statement that evil is bad. It is a prohibition about using evil as a means to a good end.
- Non facias is a polite, general “you should not”. For a stronger command, Latin more often uses noli facere, so this is a maxim, not a classical-style order.
- Do not attribute it to Paul as a direct quotation. Romans 3:8 is the thought behind it, not this exact Latin sentence.
- Do not swap bonum or malum for plural or feminine forms without checking: they are neuter singular and must agree with what they stand for.
Questions about “Non facias malum ut inde fiat bonum”
What does “Non facias malum ut inde fiat bonum” mean literally?
“You should not do evil so that good may come from it.” It says that a good result does not justify a wrong act.
Who said “Non facias malum ut inde fiat bonum”?
No single author is known. It is a legal and moral maxim that echoes Paul’s words in Romans 3:8.
How do you pronounce “Non facias malum ut inde fiat bonum”?
Classical: nohn FAH-kee-ahs MAH-loom oot IN-deh FEE-aht BOH-noom. In Church Latin facias becomes FAH-chee-ahs.
Is “Non facias malum ut inde fiat bonum” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, the grammar is sound: a prohibition with the subjunctive, then a purpose clause with ut and fiat. It reads as a maxim rather than a classical author’s line.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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