Ambition quotes

Ambition

2.3K quotes on this topic — from poets, philosophers, and thinkers across history.

2.3K quotes

Explore further

Browse quotes that often appear alongside ambition — connected by shared ideas and recurring themes.

Quote collection

Ambition quotes (page 8 of 114)

Follow a thought to its author, or read the full quote page.

Albert Einstein Physicist
Ambition

"Ever since childhood I have scorned the commonplace limits so often set upon human ambition. Possessions, outward success, publicity, luxury - to me these have always been contemptible. I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone; best both for the body and the mind"

Read quote 15 likes
Samuel Fuller Film Director
Ambition

"Ninety-five per cent of films are born of frustration, of self despair, of ambition for survival, for money, for fattening bank accounts. Five per cent, maybe less, are made because a man has an idea, an idea which he must express."

Read quote 15 likes
Simon Barnes Journalist
Ambition

"The comfort zone is always the most desirable place to be. But in settling for comfort, there is a price to pay and it comes in the death of ambition, of hope, of youth and the death of self."

Read quote 15 likes
Ovid Poet
Ambition

"To wish is of little account; to succeed you must earnestly desire; and this desire must shorten thy sleep."

Read quote 15 likes
Saul Bellow Novelist
Ambition

"Brother raises a hand against brother and son against father (how terrible!) and the father also against son. And moreover it is a continuity-matter, for if the father did not strike the son, they would not be alike. It is done to perpetuate similarity. Oh, Henderson, man cannot keep still under the blows.... A hit B? B hit C?--we have not enough alphabet to cover the condition. A brave man will try to make the evil stop with him. He shall keep the blow. No man shall get it from him, and that is a sublime ambition."

Read quote 14 likes
Marcus Aurelius Philosopher, Emperor
Ambition

"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."

Read quote 14 likes
John Steinbeck Novelist, Journalist
Ambition

"Look at them. There are your true philosophers. I think that Mack and the boys know everything that has ever happened in the world and possibly everything that will happen. I think they survive in this particular world better than other people. In a time when people tear themselves to pieces with ambition and nervousness and covetousness, they are relaxed. All of our so-called successful men are sick men, with bad stomachs, and bad souls, but Mack and the boys are healthy and curiously clean. They can do what they want. They can satisfy their appetites without calling them something else."

Read quote 14 likes
Barack Obama Politician
Ambition

"The elevation of appearance over substance, of celebrity over character, of short term gains over lasting achievement displays a poverty of ambition. It distracts you from what's truly important."

Read quote 13 likes
Peter Drucker Management Consultant, Author
Ambition

"We live in an age of unprecedented opportunity: If you’ve got ambition and smarts, you can rise to the top of your chosen profession, regardless of where you started out."

Read quote 13 likes
Edward Abbey Author, Environmentalist
Ambition

"My sole literary ambition is to write one good novel, then retire to my hut in the desert, assume the lotus position, compose my mind and senses, and sink into meditation, contemplating my novel."

Read quote 13 likes
Ambition

"Where freedom of religion has been attacked, the attack has come from sources opposed to democracy. Where democracy has been overthrown, the spirit of free worship has disappeared. And where religion and democracy have vanished, good faith and reason in international affairs have given way to strident ambition and brute force."

Read quote 13 likes