"How much wickedness could you do in the service of good before it turned into pure evil?" raises a profound moral question about the boundaries of ethical actions when pursuing a noble goal. It challenges the reader to consider whether actions intended for good can become harmful or morally wrong if taken too far.

This quote from Nancy Farmer's "The Lord of Opium" prompts reflection on the fine line between justified means and unjustifiable cruelty. It underscores the complexity of moral decisions, especially in situations where good motives may lead to questionable or evil outcomes if taken to extremes.