 There are two things that an agent who has willed something can do which would bring his action into compliance with the hypothetical imperative. He can either will the means that are necessary and in his power to the end (which, of course, would rule out his willing to be thwarted in attaining the end) or he can give up willing the end. For example, the hypothetical imperative would not imply that it was irrational for the person described above to cease willing now to buy a house and instead use the money that he knows would be required as a down payment on it to make a gift to his niece.