This (= seed) is useful because it produces grain, which is useful because it produces bread, which is useful because it preserves life. But life must be capable of some intrinsic value: if life were merely useful as a means to other life, it would not be useful at all.
Source: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926 by Bertrand Russell
More info.: https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE01-030.HTM