That which is first in intention is last in operation.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) The ultimate purpose of an act is conceived first but accomplished last — in construing a statute or trust, look to the end the maker intended, understanding that the final result is the true measure of the design.

Where this applies

• A legislature drafts a bill with the ultimate goal of protecting children from online exploitation, but the first steps are defining terms, establishing an agency, and funding enforcement — the protection they envisioned first will be the last piece actually realized.
• A family plans to build a homestead for self-sufficient living, but the vision of the completed homestead comes first while the actual work — clearing land, digging a well, raising walls — must happen in reverse order before the dream is fulfilled.
• A trust is created with the purpose of funding a grandchild's education, but the trustee must first invest, manage, and grow the corpus for years before the educational purpose that motivated the whole arrangement is finally accomplished.