--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Consciousness is an end in itself. We…" description: "\"Consciousness is an end in itself. We torture ourselves getting somewhere, and when we get there it is nowhere, for there is nowhere to get to.\" — D. H..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/659/d-h-lawrence-426_consciousness_consciousness-is-an-end-in-itself-we-tor_2523499.png" --- # Consciousness is an end in itself. We torture ourselves… ![“Consciousness is an end in itself. We torture ourselves getting somewhere, and when we get there it is nowhere, for there is nowhere to get to.” quote by D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/659/d-h-lawrence-426_consciousness_consciousness-is-an-end-in-itself-we-tor_2523499.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/659/d-h-lawrence-426_consciousness_consciousness-is-an-end-in-itself-we-tor_2523499.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/659/d-h-lawrence-426_consciousness_consciousness-is-an-end-in-itself-we-tor_2523499.png) > “Consciousness is an end in itself. We torture ourselves getting somewhere, and when we get there it is nowhere, for there is nowhere to get to.” [D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests consciousness is its own purpose, and that pursuit of goals often leads to emptiness because the destination is illusory. **In simple terms:** Consciousness is an end; goals may be meaningless. Key Takeaway Seek meaning beyond material goals. Themes existentialism philosophy meaning self-awareness Mood thoughtful philosophical Type existential reflective When to use this quote - personal introspection - creative work - spiritual practice Key Concepts nihilism subjective experience goal pursuit Questions to Reflect On - What gives your life purpose? - Can consciousness be cultivated without external aims? A Different Perspective Chasing goals can cause suffering if not grounded. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Torture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torture/) ## Related quotes > [“The survival of religion is on the basis of torture and punishment; end of torture is end of religion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/the-survival-of-religion-is-on-the-basis-of-torture-and-punishment/) [M.F. 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If the little wave knew that behind it is the great ocean, it could say, "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/with-the-realization-of-god-comes-all-power-if-the-little-wave-knew/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [How wonderful it would be to scatter words as they rise to consciousness, to let them lie where they fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-scott/how-wonderful-it-would-be-to-scatter-words-as-they-rise-to/) [Joanna Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-scott/) ## More by D. H. Lawrence > [Not I, not I, but the wind that blows through me! A fine wind is blowing the new direction of Time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/not-i-not-i-but-the-wind-that-blows-through-me-a-fine-wind-is-blowing/) [D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) > [and Venus among the fishes skips and is a she-dolphin she is the gay, delighted porpoise sporting with love and the sea she is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/and-venus-among-the-fishes-skips-and-is-a-she-dolphin-she-is-the-gay/) [D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) > [If I had my way, I would build a lethal chamber as big as the Crystal Palace, with a military band playing softly, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/if-i-had-my-way-i-would-build-a-lethal-chamber-as-big-as-the-crystal/) [D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) > [Now it is autumn and the falling fruit and the long journey towards oblivion. The apples falling like great drops of dew to bruise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/now-it-is-autumn-and-the-falling-fruit-and-the-long-journey-towards/) [D. H. 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Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) > [If a woman's got nothing but her fair fame to feed on, why, it's thin tack, and a donkey would die of it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/if-a-woman-s-got-nothing-but-her-fair-fame-to-feed-on-why-it-s-thin/) [D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) [Explore all 570 D. H. 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