Ambition is a driving force that has shaped the lives of countless individuals throughout history. It is the spark that ignites our dreams and pushes us to reach beyond our limits. In this article, we will explore 43 famous quotes about ambition, each offering a unique perspective on this powerful human quality. These quotes, gathered from great thinkers, leaders, and creatives, reflect the diverse ways ambition can manifest in our lives. Let’s delve into these words of wisdom and find inspiration to fuel our own aspirations.
Ambition as a Source of Motivation
1. “Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” – Bill Bradley
2. “Ambition is enthusiasm with a purpose.” – Frank Tyger
3. “The very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.” – William Shakespeare
4. “Ambition is the germ from which all growth of nobleness proceeds.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
5. “Ambition is the last refuge of the failure.” – Oscar Wilde
Ambition in the Face of Adversity
6. “A man’s worth is no greater than his ambitions.” – Marcus Aurelius
7. “Big results require big ambitions.” – Heraclitus
8. “Ambition is the incentive that makes purpose great and achievement greater.” – Henry Ford
9. “Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” – Mark Twain
10. “Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine.” – Elvis Presley
Ambition in Leadership and Vision
11. “Ambition is the first step to success. The second step is action.” – Unknown
12. “Ambition is the immoderate desire for power.” – Baruch Spinoza
13. “Ambition is a commendable attribute without which no man succeeds. Only inconsiderate ambition imperils.” – Andrew Carnegie
14. “The ambitious are forever followed by adulation for others who seek to gain favor.” – Frank Herbert
15. “Ambition is not what man does… but what man would do.” – Robert Browning
See Also: 30+ Inspirational Quotes for the Working Man
Ambition as a Double-Edged Sword
16. “Ambition is the grand enemy of all peace.” – John Cowper Powys
17. “Ambition is like hunger; it obeys no law but its appetite.” – Josh Billings
18. “Ambition, in a private man, is a vice, is a virtue in a great one.” – Philip Massinger
19. “Ambition breaks the ties of blood, and forgets the obligations of gratitude.” – Sallust
20. “Ambition is pitiless. Any merit that it cannot use it finds despicable.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Ambition as a Lifelong Journey
21. “Ambition has one heel nailed in well, though she stretch her fingers to touch the heavens.” – Lao Tzu
22. “Ambition is a lust that is never quenched, but grows more inflamed and madder by enjoyment.” – Thomas Otway
23. “Ambition is the fuel of achievement.” – Unknown
24. “Ambition often puts men upon doing the meanest offices; so climbing is performed in the same position with creeping.” – Jonathan Swift
25. “Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy.” – Edgar Bergen
Ambition in Personal Growth and Development
26. “Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.” – William Shakespeare
27. “Ambition is the spur that makes man struggle with destiny; it is heaven’s own incentive to make purpose great and achievement greater.” – Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton
28. “Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” – Bill Bradley
29. “Ambition is the collar of youth, the bit of middle age, and the bridle of old age.” – E. Frank Tupper
30. “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.” – James Madison
Ambition in Achieving Success
31. “Ambition is the mother of destruction, ambition is the mother of chaos, and ambition is the mother of madness.” – Jeremy Bentham
32. “Ambition, without knowledge, is like a boat on dry land.” – Chinese Proverb
33. “Ambition is the path to success, but persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” – William Eardley IV
34. “Ambition is an idol, on whose wings great minds are carried only to extreme heights, to be dashed to pieces by their own weight.” – Samuel Johnson
35. “Ambition is a drug that makes its addicts potential madmen.” – Emile M. Cioran
Ambition and Ethics
36. “Ambition is a noble passion when it is directed toward the public good; when directed solely toward personal gain, it becomes corrupt.” – Unknown
37. “Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine.” – Elvis Presley
38. “Ambition is not a vice of little people.” – Michel de Montaigne
39. “Ambition is the first step to success. The second step is action.” – Unknown
Ambition as a Personal Philosophy
40. “Ambition is the ultimate refuge of the failure.” – Oscar Wilde
41. “Ambition is the spur that makes man struggle with destiny; it is heaven’s own incentive to make purpose great and achievement greater.” – Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton
42. “Ambition is the path to success, but persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” – Bill Bradley
43. “Ambition is the collar of youth, the bit of middle age, and the bridle of old age.” – E. Frank Tupper
Conclusion
Ambition is a multifaceted quality that has the power to inspire greatness as well as to lead us astray. The 43 quotes explored in this article provide a rich tapestry of perspectives on ambition, reflecting its potential to both elevate and challenge us. Whether seen as a noble pursuit or a dangerous obsession, ambition remains a central force in the human experience. By understanding and harnessing ambition, we can strive to achieve our highest goals while remaining mindful of the balance needed to avoid its pitfalls.