Full Idea
The nature of any given thing is determined by its end.
Gist of Idea
The nature of any given thing is determined by its end
Source
Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1115b23)
Book Reference
Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.129
A Reaction
A nice statement of the essence of the teleological view. A counterexample might be something which had a very unimpressive end, but was incidentally rather wonderful, like being a perfectionist about a menial task.