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.

Oh, sons of earth! attempt ye still to rise.
By mountains pil'd on mountains to the skies?
read more

Oh, sons of earth! attempt ye still to rise.
By mountains pil'd on mountains to the skies?
Heav'n still with laughter the vain toil surveys,
And buries madmen in the heaps they raise.

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.

By low ambition and the thirst of praise.

By low ambition and the thirst of praise.

Nothing is too high for the daring of mortals: we would storm
heaven itself in our folly.
[Lat., read more

Nothing is too high for the daring of mortals: we would storm
heaven itself in our folly.
[Lat., Nil mortalibus arduum est:
Coelum ipsum petimus stultitia.]

Ambition has one heel nailed in well, though she stretch her fingers to touch the heavens.

Ambition has one heel nailed in well, though she stretch her fingers to touch the heavens.

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.

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.

They please, are pleas'd, they give to get esteem
Till, seeming blest, they grow to what they seem.

They please, are pleas'd, they give to get esteem
Till, seeming blest, they grow to what they seem.