end in itself

Idioms  

1. A purpose or goal desired for its own sake (rather than to attain something else). For example, For me, writing books is an end in itself; they don't really make that much money. This expression employs the noun end in the sense of “final cause or purpose,” a usage dating from the early 1500s.

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Example Sentences

For the ancients, understanding was an end in itself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

In his article, O'Brien argued having a "pleasant, civilised nice place to live" was an end in itself.

From BBC • Oct. 24, 2024

Risk aversion has become an end in itself.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2024

"We know that it's not an end in itself, but it's a really important, much stronger foundation from which to face the uncertainties ahead, and the pressures on the budget are intensifying rather than easing."

From Reuters • Sep. 22, 2023

However, as calmness wasn't an end in itself I made an excuse at the first possible moment and got to my feet.

From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald