QuoteProject
Ambition! We must be careful what we mean by it. If it means the desire to get ahead of other people - which is what I think it does mean - then it is bad. If it means simply wanting to do a thing well, then it is good. It isn't wrong for an actor to want to act his part as well as it can possibly be acted, but the wish to have his name in bigger type than the other actors is a bad one.
C. S. Lewis
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Ambition can be positive or negative based on its motivation.

C. S. Lewis highlights the dual nature of ambition, suggesting that while striving for excellence in one's craft is commendable, the desire to outshine others can lead to unhealthy competition. He distinguishes between a selfless pursuit of quality and a selfish urge for personal recognition, emphasizing that true ambition should focus on the integrity of one's work rather than personal accolades.

Themes

AmbitionSuccessExcellenceCompetitionRecognition

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech about personal growth.

More from C. S. Lewis

A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience which is not slavery.
C. S. LewisRead
I enjoyed my breakfast this morning, and I think that was a good thing and do not think it was condemned by God. But I do not think myself a good man for enjoying it.
C. S. LewisRead
Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
C. S. LewisRead
Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved.
C. S. LewisRead
I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. It doesn't change God - it changes me.
C. S. LewisRead
The instrument through which you see God is your whole self. And if a man's self is not kept clean and bright, his glimpse of God will be blurred
C. S. LewisRead

Similar quotes

I had a great teacher in India who said to me, 'If you think you're spiritual and evolved and enlightened, go home for Christmas.'
Elizabeth GilbertRead
He who went to the kings to seek favors went away from Allah.
UmarRead
Well, God give them wisdom that have it; and those that are fools, let them use their talents.
William ShakespeareRead
I could do one show after another in China for the rest of my life and still die ignorant. There's a lot of places left to go.
Anthony BourdainRead
Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.
Yehuda BergRead
The awareness is not part of the darkness or the pain; it holds the pain, and knows it, so it has to be more fundamental, and closer to what is healthy and strong and golden within you.
Jon Kabat-ZinnRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.