Fair means or foul

By fair means or foul means by any possible means and dates from the early 17th century. It derives from Shakespeare Macbeth Act I, Scene I, although Shakespeare’s construction was slightly different, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” meaning that fair and foul amount to the same thing. The expression subsequently evolved from its original Shakespearian construction into its current format during the 18th century. See also by hook or by crook.