--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Often it is the means that justify the…" description: "\"Often it is the means that justify the ends: goals advance technique and technique survives even when goal structures crumble.\" — Alan Perlis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bb/alan-perlis-11812_ends_often-it-is-the-means-that-justify-the-e_2167899.png" --- # Often it is the means that justify the ends: goals advance… ![“Often it is the means that justify the ends: goals advance technique and technique survives even when goal structures crumble.” quote by Alan Perlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bb/alan-perlis-11812_ends_often-it-is-the-means-that-justify-the-e_2167899.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bb/alan-perlis-11812_ends_often-it-is-the-means-that-justify-the-e_2167899.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bb/alan-perlis-11812_ends_often-it-is-the-means-that-justify-the-e_2167899.png) > “Often it is the means that justify the ends: goals advance technique and technique survives even when goal structures crumble.” [Alan Perlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-perlis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Techniques persist beyond goals; means can become ends themselves. **In simple terms:** Means can dominate goals. Key Takeaway Beware of technique‑driven focus. Themes philos ethics means ends Mood thoughtful cautious Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - technology - policy - education Key Concepts instrumentalism goal displacement Questions to Reflect On - Are your tools serving your goals? - When do means become ends? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on means may erode original purpose. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends/) [Ends Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends-goals-4628978/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goal Structures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal-structures-3247804/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Goals Advance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals-advance-4628977/) [Justify](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justify/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure/) [Survives Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/survives-goal-4628979/) [Technique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technique/) [Technique Survives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technique-survives-4628976/) ## Related quotes > [“In very gritty people, most mid-level and low-level goals are, in some way or another, related to that ultimate goal. 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