What do "ends" and "means" mean?

[hugsandkisses]

First, I need the definitions for "ends" and "means" ...

Then incorporate them into a few phrases:

some end beyond their means

as a means to an end rather than as an end in itself.

Anything that might clarify my doubts will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Barb_D]

The means are the methods you use.
The ends are the goals or the final results.

How you do something is more important than what you achieve if you say the means are more important than the ends.

If you say something was a means to an end, it means it was what was necessary to do to achieve the goal.

 

[Offroad]

Niccolò Machiavelli said something like that...can't remember exactly what the quote says.

Can you, Barb?

 

[Barb_D]

The ends justify the means.

Do whatever you need to do (use whatever means you need to use) to reach the goal.