7 Edmund Burke Quotes on Ambition

Edmund Burke quotes on ambition

13. I decline the election. - It has ever been my rule through life, to observe a proportion between my efforts and my objects. I have never been remarkable for a bold, active, and sanguine pursuit of advantages that are personal to myself.

14. Gentlemen, the melancholy event of yesterday reads to us an awful lesson against being too much troubled about any of the objects of ordinary ambition. The worthy gentleman, who has been snatched from us at the moment of the election, and in the middle of contest, whilst his desires were as warm, and his hopes as eager as ours, has feelingly told us, what shadows we are, and what shadows we pursue.

22. Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, never can willingly abandon it. They may be distressed in the midst of all their power; but they will never look to any thing but power for their relief.

69. Nothing less will content me, than whole America.

126. Men who undertake considerable things, even in a regular way, ought to give us ground to presume ability.

155. Well is it known that ambition can creep as well as soar.

164. Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.