I Believe That’s Actually an Age-Old Philosophical Problem

I [...] guess that [...] we sometimes (perhaps even usually) assume that a person’s intentions are more important than their actions. To mean well is apparently as important, if not more so, than to do well

jdc325: “Why Are Lies Worse Than Bullshit?“ (emphasis in original) (Pointer)

‘I like the Walrus best,’ said Alice: ‘because you see he was a little sorry for the poor oysters.’

‘He ate more than the Carpenter, though,’ said Tweedledee. ‘You see he held his handkerchief in front, so that the carpenter couldn’t count how many: contrariwise.’

‘That was mean!’ Alice said indignantly. ‘Then I like the Carpenter best – if he didn’t eat so many as the Walrus.’

‘But he ate as many as he could get,’ said Tweedledum.

This was a puzzler.

Lewis Carroll: Through the Looking Glass, Ch. 4 (emphasis in original)