What does "Don't be evil" mean?

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 14:13:36 +0000

Been reading scattered pieces on the Google are they evil/hypocritcal meme. Google say their motto:

"Don't be evil".

This doesn't mean "be good" or "do good" or "make sure good things happen." As a motto it's pithy but actionably weak. If we consider another phrase, attributed to Edmund Burke, we can see why.

It is necessary only for the good man to do nothing for evil to triumph

We can see that evil does not come only from our own evil actions, but also from our omissions (presumably our omissions to do good). Anyone who has observed any amount of human politics understands that often the most powerful forces act not-directly but indirectly. They do no harm themselves but allow others to do it for them, their omission is not to stand in their way.

Google's motto is meaningless.

Curiouser and Curiouser! on evil

What does "Don't be evil" mean?