The phrase "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" is a proverb that has been around for centuries, but its exact origins are unknown. It is often attributed to the English philosopher Samuel Johnson, who wrote in 1774 that "Hell is paved with good intentions." However, there is evidence that the phrase was in circulation before Johnson's time. For example, the Scottish poet Allan Ramsay wrote in 1721 of "the high-road of hell, that's paved with good intentions."
The proverb is a warning against the dangers of good intentions that are not followed by action. It is a reminder that it is not enough to simply have good intentions; we must also be willing to put those intentions into practice. If we do not, our good intentions will be of no use, and we may find ourselves on the road to hell.