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I think you're right in noting that Tolkien plays hard on the idea that intent and motive, rather than actions, determine whether something is Good or Evil. Aragorn marches an army north to invade Sauron's lands, razing a city (Minas Morgul) to the ground along the way; he practically sows the ground with salt! He's also a pirate (stealing the Corsairs' ships), and summons a literal undead army to do his bidding. A bald description of Aragorn's major actions in the books would read like he was the villain.
And, actually, Aragorn is one of the places where Tolkien states his philosophy on this outright. Remember how he "looks foul but feels fair"? It doesn't matter how beautiful your manner and appearance is (see: Annatar) if your intent, your 'feel', is evil. Equally, remember that black, spiky architecture like Orthanc and the Black Gates were built by Gondor - and that, contrary to any movies you might have seen, the outer wall of Minas Tirith is of the same black rock as Isengard!
So yes: hobbits will sneak; elves will hide in ambush and slaughter foes who can't even see them; and Sauron will send out a diplomatic envoy even when faced with an army at his gates. But because their motives are Good and Evil, their methods are less important.
(Though we're not quite in 'the end justifies the means' territory.)
hS
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