If possible, take no direct action to alter events in the world, act through indirect means only.
So investigators are turning to indirect means of measuring past temperatures.
Because the Fed doesn't control long-term rates directly, it relies on such indirect means to influence the long end of the market.
But it must also be noted that he used several indirect means to obtain and support his authority with the people.
Administration of the empire was performed through largely traditional, indirect means.
So it is now trying a new, indirect means of, in effect, abolishing private education.
I do not know whether you would be able to kill him through indirect means.
To my mind, more has to be done to counter fraud by indirect means.
This agreement is therefore an indirect means of promoting mutual understanding.
He decided to try and detect the problem through indirect means.