--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A thing chosen always as an end and never…" description: "\"A thing chosen always as an end and never as a means we call absolutely final. Now happiness above all else appears to be absolutely final in this sens..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9a/aristotle-78_chosen_a-thing-chosen-always-as-an-end-and-neve_681112.png" --- # A thing chosen always as an end and never as a means we… ![“A thing chosen always as an end and never as a means we call absolutely final. Now happiness above all else appears to be absolutely final in this sense, since we always choose it for its own sake and never as a means to something else.” quote by Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9a/aristotle-78_chosen_a-thing-chosen-always-as-an-end-and-neve_681112.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9a/aristotle-78_chosen_a-thing-chosen-always-as-an-end-and-neve_681112.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9a/aristotle-78_chosen_a-thing-chosen-always-as-an-end-and-neve_681112.png) > “A thing chosen always as an end and never as a means we call absolutely final. Now happiness above all else appears to be absolutely final in this sense, since we always choose it for its own sake and never as a means to something else.” [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing happiness as an end, not a means, makes it the ultimate goal, but may ignore deeper purposes. **In simple terms:** Happiness is pursued for itself. Key Takeaway Seek happiness while recognizing broader purposes. Themes ethics purpose happiness means ends Mood reflective thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal fulfillment - public policy - education goals - life planning Key Concepts eudaimonia instrumental value teleology Questions to Reflect On - Is happiness a sufficient life goal? - What other ends should guide actions? A Different Perspective Focusing solely on happiness can neglect moral duties or long‑term growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) ## Related quotes > [We live in this world of great promise, where everything seems to offer an unchanging final happiness, if we can only get enough of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/we-live-in-this-world-of-great-promise-where-everything-seems-to/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“There can never be an absolutely final translation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-grant/there-can-never-be-an-absolutely-final-translation/) Robert M. 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