Too often those who entertain ambition, expel remorse and nature.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
I shall strike the stars with my unlifted head.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
The passion of self-aggrandizement is persistent but plastic; it will never disappear from a vigorous mind, but may become morally higher by attaching itself to a larger conception of what constitutes the self.
—Charles Cooley (1864–1929) American Sociologist
To be happy at home is the ultimate aim of all ambition; the end to which every enterprise and labor tends, and of which every desire prompts the prosecution.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
It’s them as take advantage that get advantage i’ this world.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Life is a sheet of paper white, Whereon each one of us may write His word or two, and then comes night. Greatly begin! Though thou have time But for a line, be that sublime—Not failure, but low aim, is crime.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
Ambition, having reached the summit, longs to descend.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
Ambition never comes to an end.
—Yoshida Kenko (1283–1352) Japanese Poet, Essayist
Ambition is the last refuge of the failure.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
The noblest spirit is most strongly attracted by the love of glory.
—James Baldwin (1924–87) American Novelist, Social Critic
Ambition is so powerful a passion in the human breast, that however high we reach, we are never satisfied.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
Ambition is not what man does… but what man would do.
—Robert Browning (1812–89) English Poet
Ambition and the belly are the two worst counselors.
—German Proverb
Time is the only critic without ambition.
—John Steinbeck (1902–68) American Novelist, Short Story Writer, Journalist
It is the constant fault and inseparable evil quality of ambition, that it never looks behind it.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
The slave has but one master, the ambitious man has as many as there are persons whose aid may contribute to the advancement of his fortunes.
—Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author
Keep your feet on the ground, but let your heart soar as high as it will. Refuse to be average or to surrender to the chill of your spiritual environment.
—A. W. Tozer (1897–1963) American Christian Pastor, Preacher, Author, Editor
We often pass from love to ambition, but we hardly ever return from ambition to love.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
An ounce of hypocrisy is worth a pound of ambition.
—Michael Korda (b.1933) English-born Writer, Novelist
Oh that I were seated as high as my ambition, I’d place my naked foot on the necks of monarchs.
—Hugh Walpole (1884–1941) English Novelist, Short Story Writer, Dramatist
I hope I shall have ambition until the day I die.
—Clare Boothe Luce (1903–87) American Playwright, Diplomat, Journalist, Diplomat, Elected Rep
Action often precedes the feeling.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
Children, you must remember something. A man without ambition is dead. A man with ambition but no love is dead. A man with ambition and love for his blessings here on earth is ever so alive.
—Pearl Bailey (1918–1990) American Jazz Singer, Actress, Writer
Ambition is but avarice on stilts, and masked.
—Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864) English Writer, Poet
The same sun which gilds all nature, and exhilarates the whole creation, does not shine upon disappointed ambition.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
The slave has but one master; the man of ambition has as many as there are people useful to his fortune.
—Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author
Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.
—Salvador Dali (1904–89) Spanish Painter
Ambition is to the mind what the cap is to the falcon; it blinds us first, and then compels us to tower by reason of our blindness.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Ambition and fleas jump high.
—German Proverb
Ambition has one heel nailed in well, though she stretch her fingers to touch the heavens.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
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