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.

A slave has but one master. An ambitious man has as many as there are people who helped him get read more

A slave has but one master. An ambitious man has as many as there are people who helped him get his fortune.

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.

By low ambition and the thirst of praise.

By low ambition and the thirst of praise.

For all may have,
If they dare to try, a glorious life, or grave.

For all may have,
If they dare to try, a glorious life, or grave.

But what will not ambition and revenge
Descend to? who aspires must down as low
As high read more

But what will not ambition and revenge
Descend to? who aspires must down as low
As high he soar'd, obnoxious first and last
To basest things.

If at great things thou would'st arrive,
Get riches first, get wealth, and treasure heap,
Not difficult, read more

If at great things thou would'st arrive,
Get riches first, get wealth, and treasure heap,
Not difficult, if thou hearken to me;
Riches are mine, fortune is in my hand,
They whom I favor thrive in wealth amain,
While virtue, valor, wisdom, sit in want.

He was utterly without ambition [Chas. II.]. He detested
business, and would sooner have abdicated his crown than have read more

He was utterly without ambition [Chas. II.]. He detested
business, and would sooner have abdicated his crown than have
undergone the trouble of really directing the administration.

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.