The very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.

The very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.

Where there are large powers with little ambition... nature may be said to have fallen short of her purposes.

Where there are large powers with little ambition... nature may be said to have fallen short of her purposes.

The shades of night were falling fast,
As through an Alpine village passed
A youth, who bore, read more

The shades of night were falling fast,
As through an Alpine village passed
A youth, who bore, 'mid snow and ice
A banner with the strange device,
Excelsior!

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.

At the age of six I wanted to be a cook. At seven I wanted to be Napoleon. And my read more

At the age of six I wanted to be a cook. At seven I wanted to be Napoleon. And my ambition has been growing steadily ever since.

We grow small trying to be great.

We grow small trying to be great.

The noblest spirit is most strongly attracted by the love of glory.

The noblest spirit is most strongly attracted by the love of glory.

I see, but cannot reach, the height
That lies forever in the light.

I see, but cannot reach, the height
That lies forever in the light.

Very few people are ambitious in the sense of having a specific image of what they want to achieve. Most read more

Very few people are ambitious in the sense of having a specific image of what they want to achieve. Most people's sights are only toward the next run, the next increment of money.