Do the means justify the end or the end justify the means?

What is the price worth paying to accomplish a goal? This is a question that many people encounter when they pursue a goal or task, and it likely shows what type of person you are. Will you do anything to cut your losses or will you ignore the consequences and shoot for the end result? This is an interesting  topic that I like thee delve into with many of my piers. For people that didn't know, I like to study psychology, specifically, abstract figures dealing with one's personality. In the personality studies community, their is a concept called the Dark triad which assesses one's negative aspects through narcissism, psychopathism, and machiavellianism. This discussion is focusing on machiavellianism, the personality trait associated with determined and manipulative behaviors in pursuit of one's interests. A machiavellian  person may be described as a person willing to do anything to achieve their goals no matter the consequences. I tend to associate this trait with the ideology that the means are justified by the end, or in simpler terms, the actions taken do not matter as long as there was a good result. I tend to ask same question, as stated in the title, to many people I see as potential  leaders or people striving for a goal. How actually determined is a person that is willing to take any chances and risks involved on their path to success? My answer is yes. This, however, does not mean it is the healthiest way to go. Being overly determined to accomplish a task may lead to an overly manipulative and aggressive personality which results in the task not being done. Same goes for someone who is not willing to make sacrifices. Someone that ponders upon an issue because it may ruin a  social structure or their image may not even be able  to accomplish a task effectively. This may imply that the best solution is to be in the middle; that is wrong. Being both aggressive and kindhearted only results in indecision. It is not possible to both sacrifice and save a lamb at the same time. What side do you lean towards? Are you willing  to make sacrifices or are you concerned with cutting your losses?