For long I have said that in Life, all we can have is intent; everything else just happens. I still agree with it, at the macro or big-picture level. But it for sure cannot be used as an excuse to inaction. Change was brought about only when people stepped into action. If one would just watch with a fair understanding of what's not right, and with honest intent, but yet keep watching and do nothing, tomorrow would not be a better day.
Good intentions do not override wrong actions. In the Gita it is written that no action is wrong if the intent is right. I do not agree with that now. Because intent is hard to judge; it is personal, subjective and incomparable. That's why strict adherence to law, and more importantly, the spirit of the law, is more important. I'm happy to note that most democracies in the world today have matured enough to realize this.
So it wrong to stop your car in the middle of the road to let another driver from the curb join in, especially when there could be a vehicle behind you, not expecting you to stop; it puts their life in danger. Then again, the spirit of the law is upheld when you do this to save a life, say a kid who jumped on the road.
Good actions override intent. Although I'm not sure I completely understand this, the example I contextualize this statement, is in the role of the law-enforcer or war-soldier of a country. They are at the frontline, defending the nation and upholding it's laws in order to protect life and liberty. In my eyes, their actions deserve the most respect, even more than the doctor who saves lives. However, standing at the front line, they might be unable to see the big-picture, the why. At that point in time, it is their actions that matter most, irrespective of their then understanding of the reasons, the intent. Or even their own personal intentions, as long as those actions do not exceed their scope!
