Ambition breaks the ties of blood, and forgets the obligations of gratitude.

Ambition breaks the ties of blood, and forgets the obligations of gratitude.

Ambition is the last refuge of failure.

Ambition is the last refuge of failure.

I strike the stars with by sublime head.
[Lat., Sublimi feriam sidera vertice.]

I strike the stars with by sublime head.
[Lat., Sublimi feriam sidera vertice.]

Ambition often puts men upon doing the meanest offices; so climbing is performed in the same position with creeping.

Ambition often puts men upon doing the meanest offices; so climbing is performed in the same position with creeping.

Like dogs in a wheel, birds in a cage, or squirrels in a chain, ambitious men still climb and climb, read more

Like dogs in a wheel, birds in a cage, or squirrels in a chain, ambitious men still climb and climb, with great labor, and incessant anxiety, but never reach the top.

Oh that I were seated as high as my ambition, I'd place my naked foot on the necks of monarchs.

Oh that I were seated as high as my ambition, I'd place my naked foot on the necks of monarchs.

Here may we reign secure, and in my choice
To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell.
read more

Here may we reign secure, and in my choice
To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell.
Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven.

A noble man compares and estimates himself by an idea which is higher than himself; and a mean man, by read more

A noble man compares and estimates himself by an idea which is higher than himself; and a mean man, by one lower than himself. The one produces aspiration; the other ambition, which is the way in which a vulgar man aspires.

We grow small trying to be great.

We grow small trying to be great.