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 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.]

You are rewarding a teacher poorly if you remain always a pupil.

You are rewarding a teacher poorly if you remain always a pupil.

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.

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.

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

The noblest spirit is most strongly attracted by the love of glory.

The noblest spirit is most strongly attracted by the love of glory.

Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition.

Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition.

Ambition has no rest!

Ambition has no rest!