The idea of reaching an end while still adhering to principle and law, is the opposite of the common usage of this slogan itself. Typically means to an end refers either to a convenient mean, or an unethical mean, but rarely to a valid common mean, like a hammer for instance, a mean to driving a nail. 6/29/07.
That is the idea I present here. The means to an end does not literally have to mean (pun intended) a bad method, unscrupulous method or immoral method though we do usually reserve the phrase for at least a sort of blasé nonchalant attitude toward the means if not when considering the means to be unscrupulous.
So what I am floating here is a means to an end literally, nothing groundbreaking or original of course, but simply food for thought regarding the “what” versus the “how” and how (pun again intended) we get hung up on the means or how and base the what or end on ridiculous limitations.
Well, the means to an end is a necessary evil, or in this case normal every day occurrence, the end however is ours to make.