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

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

Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring read more

Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds.

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.

Ambition is the germ from which all growth of nobleness proceeds.

Ambition is the germ from which all growth of nobleness proceeds.

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!

When you go in search of honey you must expect to be stung by bees.

When you go in search of honey you must expect to be stung by bees.

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.

I had no ambition to make a fortune. Mere money-making has never been my goal, I had an ambition to read more

I had no ambition to make a fortune. Mere money-making has never been my goal, I had an ambition to build.

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.