Consequences don’t read your intentions. They only read what you did.

The world responds to actions, not to the reasoning behind them, and your reasoning is the only part you have direct access to. That gap explains most of the times something felt unfair. You knew you meant well, and the outcome had no way of knowing. Meaning well is necessary and it is not sufficient.

When you catch yourself about to rely on your intentions, check what the action alone would look like to someone who cannot see inside your head. If it would look bad, adjust the action rather than preparing the explanation.