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Though ambition in itself is a vice, it often is also the parent of virtue.
Though ambition in itself is a vice, it often is also the parent of virtue.
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.
When you are aspiring to the highest place, it is honorable to
the second or even the third rank.
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When you are aspiring to the highest place, it is honorable to
the second or even the third rank.
[Lat., Prima enim sequentem, honestumn est in secundis,
tertiisque consistere.]
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.
Here may we reign secure, and in my choice
To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell.
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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.
Oh, sons of earth! attempt ye still to rise.
By mountains pil'd on mountains to the skies?
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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.
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.
Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make read more
Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great.
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.
