Great ambition is the passion of a great character. He who is endowed with it may perform either very great actions or very bad ones; all depends upon the principles which direct him.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Ambition drives great people to do either huge good or huge bad depending on their moral principles.
- In plain terms
- Ambition makes people powerful but it can lead to good or bad actions based on their values.
- What can you take from it?
- Ambition is neutral; its impact depends on the principles guiding it.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What principles guide your ambitions?
- Can ambition exist without ethical direction?
Another view
It assumes principles are the only factor in ambitious actions.
More from Napoleon Bonaparte
Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.
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