“The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions” Meaning, Origin and Examples

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Have you ever heard the idiom the road to hell is paved with good intentions? If so, you may have wondered what this phrase means or how it could be used in day to day conversation. We are going to take a look at both of these musings as well as looking at a little bit about the history of the term and where it first came from.

“The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions” Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • The phrase “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” means that merely having good intentions is not enough to ensure positive outcomes; in fact, good intentions can lead to negative consequences if not acted upon appropriately.
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The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions – Created by 7ESL

“The Road to Hell Is Paved with Good Intentions” Meaning

The phrase “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” means that despite having good intentions or plans, the outcomes can still be negative or harmful if those intentions are not followed through with effective action. It suggests that merely wanting to do good is not enough; actions must align with intentions to create positive results.

Examples:

  • “While I appreciate your efforts to help, remember that the road to hell is paved with good intentions; we need a solid plan.”
  • “He meant well when he tried to intervene, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and it backfired.”

Origin of This Idiom

The origin of this saying is not precisely known, but it has been used in various forms over the centuries. The concept can be traced back to different cultures and religions, highlighting the idea that good intentions without proper execution can lead to undesirable consequences. It is often attributed to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, who wrote, “Hell is full of good intentions.”

Usage of “The Road to Hell Is Paved with Good Intentions”

  • In a discussion about well-meaning actions:

“She thought she was helping by intervening in the conflict, but it only escalated the situation. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

  • Talking about policy decisions:

“The new law aimed at reducing traffic accidents ended up causing more confusion on the roads. It just goes to show that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

  • In a reflection on personal choices:

“He wanted to surprise her with a gift, but his choice turned out to be inappropriate. It’s true what they say: the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

  • During a critique of organizational efforts:

“The charity’s efforts to provide aid without proper planning created more problems than it solved. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

Related Terms to “The Road to Hell Is Paved with Good Intentions”

  • Intentions vs. actions – highlighting the difference between what one intends to do and what they actually do.
  • Actions speak louder than words – emphasizing that what one does is more significant than what one says or intends.
  • Good intentions gone awry – referring to well-meaning actions that lead to unintended negative outcomes.
  • Unintended consequences – outcomes that are not the ones foreseen or intended, often arising from seemingly good actions.
  • Moral hazard – a situation where one party is more likely to take risks because they do not bear the consequences of those risks.
  • Wishful thinking – believing that things will turn out well just based on good intentions, without practical support.
  • The road to disaster is paved with good intentions – a variation that emphasizes the potential for failure despite good intentions.
  • Pious platitudes – expressions of good intentions that lack genuine commitment or effective follow-through.
  • Blind optimism – a lack of realistic assessment of a situation, relying solely on good intentions.
  • Cautionary tale – a narrative that warns about the potential negative outcomes of good intentions.

Other Ways to Say the Idiom

There are other ways in which you might express the term the road to hell is paved with good intentions, here are some examples of how you could do this.

“The Road to Hell Is Paved with Good Intentions” Examples

Examples in Statements

We are now going to take a look at some of the sentences in which you are likely to hear or see the term the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

The first statement is being made in a new report about a natural disaster which has ruined a town.

  • The town governors had planned to make the town flood-proof but had instead spent the money on a Christmas carnival, they claim that their intentions were good but the townspeople are saying that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

The next statement is being made by a mother to her son.

  • You might plan to complete your college assignment but will you do it? After all the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Conversation Examples

There are many conversations in which the proverb the road to hell is paved with good intentions might appear. Let’s now take a look at examples of times you might hear it.

The first conversation is taking place between a boss and his employee.

  • Person 1: “I am so sorry that I messed up this deal.”
  • Person 2: “What are your excuses?”
  • Person 1: “I didn’t spend enough time working on my speech, I had intended to but I didn’t.”
  • Person 2: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

The following conversation is happening between a teacher and a student.

  • Person 1: “Why is that you keep turning up late? You are never going to get the grades you are capable of if you are not here.”
  • Person 2: “I keep intending to but something always gets in the way.”
  • Person 2: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions, you need to start acting.”
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