Desire
‹ 7 · Outline · 9 ›
8.Ambition and the desire for power, honour and fame
8a.Ambition as restless and insatiable
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 41–42Patty's daydreaming of future gains and vanity leads her to spill the milk; ambition outruns present reality.read · scan
Cleanthes, The Hymn of CleanthesVol. 2
- p. 186–187Men pursue ambition, gain and lusts rather than God's law.read · scan
Plutarch, ThemistoclesVol. 12
- p. 6–7Passionate ambition for the highest place made him accept the hatred of powerful leaders.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 107Ambition and desire of superiority was Alcibiades's strongest passion, shown in childhood wrestling and defying a cart.read · scan
Plutarch, CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 149Ambition and emulation drive him to add exploit to exploit.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 271–272Caesar's ambition and restless craving for memorable deeds.read · scan
- p. 310His ambition is never satisfied, as if the present were all spent.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 326Plutarch says Caesar's true motive was an unquenchable thirst of empire and ambition to be the greatest man, like Alexander and Cyrus.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 125–126The exile forgot his resolutions as soon as an imperial despatch arrived, piling ambition upon ambition.read · scan
- p. 151Not content with existing honours, seeks a larger, more conspicuous post.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 70Friends' promises of gains and dignities at Rome influenced his mind somewhat.read · scan
- p. 85Augustine's panting after honours, gains and marriage tortures him; ambition drags a burden of wretchedness beyond what a beggar gains cheaply.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 177His daydream of luxury, singers and a Wezir's daughter shows ambition running beyond reality.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 223Adrian found ambition's height gave no rest to the heart; life's dream and cozenage drew him toward purer love.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, That to Philosophise Is to Learne How to DieVol. 32
- p. 18–19Deathbed regrets show attachment to unfinished ambitions; the dead no longer desire what they wished.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 55–57Sancho is lured by promises of governing an island; Quixote raises money to set out.read · scan
- p. 57–58Sancho's longing for governorship and Quixote's promises of kingdoms show ambition fed by fantasy.read · scan
- p. 58–60Quixote urges Sancho to aim at no less than viceroy; Sancho eagerly trusts in his master's gifts.read · scan
- p. 73Sancho's ambition to win an island and govern it; Quixote promises greater things through future adventures.read · scan
- p. 76Sancho prays to gain his costly island; Quixote promises kingdoms of Denmark or Sobradisa.read · scan
- p. 117Sancho hopes for an earldom or kingdom from serving a knight-errant, preferring his hopes to the best title in Spain.read · scan
- p. 140–141Sancho considers leaving his master, losing wages and the hoped-for island government.read · scan
- p. 170–173Sancho and Quixote fantasize ambitiously about titles, rewards and marriage.read · scan
- p. 231Sancho's ambitions: his master to become emperor, himself rewarded with a rich marriage and estate.read · scan
- p. 232Sancho worries about his rewards as squire, whether his master becomes emperor or archbishop.read · scan
- p. 269–270Sancho's ambition for his master to become emperor by marrying the princess, not a cardinal.read · scan
- p. 270–271Sancho's worldly ambition: he wants his master to marry the princess and gain an empire rather than become a cardinal.read · scan
- p. 273His hope of empire and ease makes him forget the pain of walking afoot.read · scan
- p. 281–283Sancho eagerly welcomes the prospect of a queen and kingdom, hoping to be made a great lord.read · scan
- p. 284Sancho's ambition for an earldom or marquisate makes him urge the marriage to the princess.read · scan
- p. 285Sancho complains that without the marriage the kingdom and his promised favours are lost.read · scan
- p. 347–348Sancho's hope of an earldom distracts him and makes him fear losing it with the giant's head.read · scan
- p. 350Dorothea keeps Sancho hopeful with the promise of an earldom, and he props up his belief with enchantment.read · scan
- p. 471Sancho's ambition for an island and earldom.read · scan
- p. 493He longs for fortune to make him emperor so he can do good to friends and reward Sancho.read · scan
- p. 495Sancho longs for the promised earldom and a life of ease.read · scan
- p. 511Sancho's ambition for an island and title drives him to seek further adventures.read · scan
Captain Walter Bigges, Drake's Great ArmadaVol. 33
- p. 242–243The Spanish king's motto 'The world sufficeth not' shows his unsatiable ambition, which shames the Spanish commissioners.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, Preface to the History of the WorldVol. 39
- p. 69–70Kings labor through bloodshed and cruelty to make themselves masters of the world, yet nothing remains.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 26–28Ambition for power and place is a strange desire that costs freedom.read · scan
- p. 92–93Ambition compared to choler: active when unobstructed, malignant and discontented when checked; ambitious men are dangerous servants of a prince.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, The Tragical History of Doctor FaustusVol. 19
- p. 205–206Swollen with conceit, his ambition overreaches like waxen wings.read · scan
- p. 207–209Faustus longs for power, profit, honour and omnipotence through magic, dreaming of wealth and command of spirits.read · scan
- p. 209Faustus, cheered by promises of wealth and fame, eagerly commits himself to magic and its joys.read · scan
- p. 212–214He commands the spirit to serve him, to move the moon or flood the ocean.read · scan
- p. 214–216Faustus sells his soul for power, dreaming of being emperor of the world.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, Edward the SecondVol. 46
- p. 7Gaveston's ambition for favour and status, scorning the poor multitude and the peers.read · scan
- p. 68His attachment to the glittering crown gives his last content.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 131–132Ambition is called the shadow of a dream; it makes Denmark a prison and narrow to the mind.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 325Macbeth starts and is rapt at the promise of a crown, pressing them to say more.read · scan
- p. 327Macbeth's ambition for the crown is kindled by the prophecy.read · scan
- p. 350–352Fruitless crown and barren sceptre: ambition attained is empty without an heir.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The TempestVol. 46
- p. 399Antonio's ambition grows with the outward show of royalty; he is thirsty for sway and absolute rule.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 767Antonio calls ambition a great man's madness, kept lunatic by flattering visitors.read · scan
- p. 774Bosola knows his limits: a mind riding faster than its horse tires both; ambition warned against.read · scan
- p. 821–823Ambition of the great persists even in the grave.read · scan
- p. 849–850Men in their quest for greatness follow bubbles blown in the air, like wanton boys.read · scan
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 372–373Belief in one's wisdom in government disposes to ambition.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 383–384Herbert's court ambition and hope of becoming Secretary of State draw him from Cambridge.read · scan
Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Life Is a DreamVol. 26
- p. 52Dreams are exhalations of ambition smouldering under the lowest fortune, reaching to be kings.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 88Satan's ambitious aim to set himself in glory above his peers.read · scan
- p. 90Satan's ambition: better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.read · scan
- p. 108Satan's insatiate ambition aspires ever higher, pursuing vain war with Heaven.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 51–52Caesar, conquering the world for sport, was too old; young men like Alexander are hard to restrain.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 336The passion of ruling and indolence arise similarly from disordered love.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, Minor WorksVol. 48
- p. 411–412Ambition is set beside love as a great ruling passion that fills the later years.read · scan
- p. 415–416Ambition mixed with love becomes a tyrant that suffers no companion among the passions.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 106–107Ambition for a richer benefice defended as lawful because Providence sets it before him.read · scan
William Penn, More Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 381–382Ambition is a restless, insatiable distemper, revengeful in disappointment, like a delirium.read · scan
Voltaire, Letters on the EnglishVol. 34
- p. 80–81Late promotion means men reach dignities when only avarice remains, so ambition is sated.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 180Weaned from craving for outward greatness; success does not satisfy a heart set on greatness.read · scan
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceVol. 24
- p. 310Ambition of the lower sort for salary and Paris residence is stirred by offices.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 282–283Egmont's ambition to rise higher, undeterred by risk of falling.read · scan
- p. 319Human desires throb in the young hunter and warrior to press forward, conquer and possess.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 406Rudenz's ambition for glory and hunger to escape dull toil.read · scan
- p. 432–434Rudenz's ambition and yearning for the world resolve into yearning for Bertha.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 95The offer of a princess and half a kingdom tempts him.read · scan
- p. 113–114Fugitives hope for a livelihood as town musicians.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, CharacteristicsVol. 25
- p. 344Hunger and ambition fill the existence of the day-drudge and the place-hunter, giving them an aim.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, Sir Walter ScottVol. 25
- p. 420Ambition and the desire to outshine consume their owner.read · scan
Thomas Babington Macaulay, MachiavelliVol. 27
- p. 388Borgia's sated sensuality replaced by intense thirst for empire and revenge.read · scan
Victor Hugo, Preface to CromwellVol. 39
- p. 378–379Cromwell's unbridled ambition and his fear of the step forward.read · scan
William Makepeace Thackeray, Jonathan SwiftVol. 28
- p. 10Swift admits his endeavours were driven by ambition for title and fortune, wit serving as a blue riband; he is likened to an outlaw seeking a mitre.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 90–92Narrator's ambition and hopes of college and profession are thwarted, forcing him to resign himself to the sailor's life.read · scan
Henry David Thoreau, WalkingVol. 28
- p. 422Ambition's unnecessary fires consume the groves of the mind.read · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 95Ambition for titles and rank is a passion at the root of effort and toil.read · scan
8b.Ambition ruining its possessor and others
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On FriendshipVol. 9
- p. 30Ambition for office and political power leads men to sacrifice friendship; indifference to power is not in human nature.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 366Drances says Turnus is driven by thirst of power, a princess and a crown.read · scan
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 57–58The Athenians' unblest passion for Sicily and further conquest is described as giddy fancy.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 120Alcibiades inflames Athenian ambition for Sicily and dreams beyond it of Carthage, Libya, Italy and Peloponnesus.read · scan
Plutarch, CiceroVol. 12
- p. 255–256Cicero's ambition and hatred of Antony make him court Caesar; Caesar admits he exploited Cicero's ambition.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 265–266Cicero detects Caesar's ambition for absolute power behind his affability; small beginnings grow irresistible when despised.read · scan
- p. 280Caesar courts favor at Rome with the wealth of his conquests while Pompey fails to notice.read · scan
- p. 288Caesar and Pompey each seek to be greatest in Rome, and fear of the other drives them to overthrow each other.read · scan
- p. 298–299Pompey's officers, overconfident, quarrel over offices and houses in Rome before victory.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 125The exile resolves on quiet years yet, at the scent of Rome and Court, ambition will overcome his resolve.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 413–414Mass distributions of money may serve factious ambition.read · scan
Jean Froissart, The Chronicles of FroissartVol. 35
- p. 75Tyler's ambition to be lord of the whole realm by leading the king about England.read · scan
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 8Men expecting to better their condition readily change masters and are deceived.read · scan
- p. 11The discontented through ambition or fear call in a powerful stranger.read · scan
- p. 12–13Venetian ambition brought Louis into Italy and led them to regret it.read · scan
- p. 42–43Ambition of captains like the Sforzas and Braccio is directed elsewhere, checking their threat to employers.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 321–322Madame d'Etampes' spite and ambition to rule drive her intrigues, using the King's amorous weakness to win the tennis-court.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 248He attributes Lucinda's defection to ambition and desire of greatness, and her covetousness for Fernando's riches.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, The Discovery of GuianaVol. 33
- p. 322Aguirre's ambition to be emperor drives his crimes.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, Edward the SecondVol. 46
- p. 8–9Gaveston schemes to steer the king by pleasures and to gain his own ends.read · scan
- p. 27–29Spencer and Baldock calculate how to win advancement by attaching themselves to the king's favourite.read · scan
- p. 66–68Ambitious Mortimer seeks the crown and curbs the king.read · scan
- p. 79–81Mortimer's ambition: feigns reluctance at the council, then takes the protectorship he craved.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 157Hamlet claims he lacks advancement, despite being named successor; ambition is hinted.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King LearVol. 46
- p. 225–226Edmund's ambition to rise and possess Edgar's land drives him: 'I grow; I prosper.'read · scan
- p. 228–229Edmund seeks lands by wit if not by birth.read · scan
- p. 266–267Edmund betrays his father for advancement: the younger rises when the old doth fall.read · scan
- p. 304–306Edmund coolly weighs which sister to take, driven by ambition and lust, planning murder to secure his position.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 327–330Murderous ambition shakes Macbeth so that action is smothered in surmise.read · scan
- p. 330–331Macbeth sees Malcolm's succession as an obstacle and asks stars to hide his black and deep desires.read · scan
- p. 331Lady Macbeth judges her husband ambitious but lacking the ruthlessness to win greatness by foul means.read · scan
- p. 335–336Vaulting ambition is his only spur to the murder.read · scan
- p. 347–348Ross calls the sons' supposed murder of their father thriftless ambition that devours its own life's means.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The TempestVol. 46
- p. 419–422Antonio stirs Sebastian's ambition, urging him not to let his fortune sleep.read · scan
- p. 422–424Antonio urges Sebastian's ambition for Naples' crown, dismissing hope for Ferdinand and offering himself as precedent.read · scan
- p. 437–439Stephano and Trinculo plot murder to seize the island and become king and viceroys, driven by ambition and drink.read · scan
- p. 439–440Antonio and Sebastian plot to murder Alonso that night, exploiting the party's weariness and despair.read · scan
Philip Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old DebtsVol. 47
- p. 925–928Overreach's ambition for titles, rank and Wellborn's lands drives his scheming; he is bursting with joy at his ends compassed.read · scan
- p. 933–938His worldly ambition for titles and profit is defeated by children.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 105Felix confesses ambition is his master; he yields to the base hope of advancement through Severus.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 155Ambition brings him only misery, supreme only in woe.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise RegainedVol. 4
- p. 405Christ accuses the ambitious spirit of offering aid to seem lord over him and to bend him to his will.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, A Discourse upon the Origin and the Foundation of the Inequality among MankindVol. 34
- p. 208–209Insatiable ambition and rage to raise relative fortune inspire men to injure one another.read · scan
- p. 220–221Ambition of principal men drove perpetuating offices.read · scan
- p. 222Blind ambition makes citizens love authority more than independence and let inequality gain ground among base souls.read · scan
Thomas Gray, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 449–451Ambition tempts men to rise then hurls them into infamy.read · scan
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceVol. 24
- p. 178–179Sinister ambition and lust of glory make talented leaders instruments of absurd projectsread · scan
- p. 180–181Men intoxicated with unprepared greatness pursue private interestsread · scan
Edmund Burke, A Letter to a Noble LordVol. 24
- p. 408Great men blinded by frantic ambition may lead a populace into ruin.read · scan
- p. 411–412Ambition suddenly intoxicates the philosophers and makes them fearless of danger to others or themselves.read · scan
Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, The Federalist, Nos. I and IIVol. 43
- p. 200Ambition, avarice and animosity motivate men on both sides of a question.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 333–334Ambition brings ruin; presumptuous hope is bidden to check its blind career.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 102–103Ambition to become queen drives mother and sisters to self-injury.read · scan
- p. 103–104Mother's ambition for her daughter to be queen drives the deception.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 337Orsino's hints made the monstrous thought grow familiar to Giacomo's desire.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, Sir Walter ScottVol. 25
- p. 405–406Napoleon's head grew light with victory and he became a selfish ambitionist.read · scan
- p. 436–437Scott, sick of ambition, abandons a pleasant country life to chase a landed estate and the world's favour.read · scan
- p. 438A poor passion for landed estate and nicknacks drives Scott into mad extremes; a black speck of ambition darkens the soul.read · scan
Victor Hugo, Preface to CromwellVol. 39
- p. 377Ambition to fulfil his childhood dream of being king drives Cromwell's approach to the throne.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, PoliticsVol. 5
- p. 248Strife of trade and ambition is a confession of worth; senators climb painfully to compensate for a poor nature.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, WorshipVol. 5
- p. 282Ambition spoils men when will does not control passion or talent.read · scan
Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve, MontaigneVol. 32
- p. 114Montaigne observes the cowardice and abject servility by which ambition arrives at its ends.read · scan
William Makepeace Thackeray, Jonathan SwiftVol. 28
- p. 10–11Swift as a tale of ambition that failed; his bitterness came from thwarted ambition, not principled conviction of mankind's unworthiness.read · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 107–108Clerics seek power from ambition, cunning or selfishness rather than care for the flock.read · scan
Walter Bagehot, John MiltonVol. 28
- p. 188Private profit and ambition displaced public zeal.read · scan
8c.The desire for power as the human condition
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 352Differences of wit arise from passions, chiefly desire of power, riches, knowledge and honour, all reducible to desire of power.read · scan
- p. 369–370All men have a perpetual restless desire of power after power, ceasing only in death, to assure future desire.read · scan
- p. 370–371Different desires (riches, ease, knowledge, praise) dispose men to contention or to obedience to a common power.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 292Sin is drawn by a sympathetic attraction and longs for dominion.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, Minor WorksVol. 48
- p. 381–382A great nobleman is master of things men covet; others serve him from desire, making him and kings sovereigns of desire.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 349–350Rule is the ambition of some; greed seeks pleasure.read · scan
Alexander Pope, Solitude; On a Certain Lady at Court; Essay on ManVol. 40
- p. 415Men pursue power, gold, glory or ease through life; each finds reason on his side.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 313His ruling desires are love of command, defying the law and being feared by all.read · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 156–157The love of power is an inextinguishable instinct God set in the heart; desire it, but as power to heal and guard.read · scan
8d.Noble and ignoble ambition
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 12–13Men desire wealth and honour but must not pursue them wrongfully.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 139Cicero distinguishes ambition for true glory from mere glory sought for its own sake.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 362–364Hunger after fasting and offered kingdoms and glory serve as temptations of appetite and ambition.read · scan
Plutarch, ThemistoclesVol. 12
- p. 5His aspiring bent for action and great affairs, boasting he could make a small city great.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 371–373Distinguishes real exigency from ambitious desire to extend power.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 189–190Ambition for sway over all Siena is condemned as presumptuous daring.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, ParadiseVol. 20
- p. 309Desires erring toward fame make true love ascend with slacker beam.read · scan
Jean Froissart, The Chronicles of FroissartVol. 35
- p. 8The young king, desiring nothing so much as deeds of arms, is inclined to the plan.read · scan
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 14Desire to acquire is natural, praised when within one's power and blamed when beyond it.read · scan
John Cabot's Discovery of North AmericaVol. 43
- p. 47Writer's ambition for an archbishopric and ecclesiastical preferment.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 46–47Rivalry and zeal for profit and improvement drive him on despite difficulty.read · scan
- p. 341Burning desire to show the school of Florence his ability leads him into the Duke's service.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 93Ambition in great things is less harmful than ambition to appear in everything; it is good to be eminent among able men.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 386Herbert struggles between the ambitions and glory of court and divine service; worldly desires are hard to lay aside.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 269It is unjust ambition to crave fortune's goods in addition to goods of mind.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 87Severus places all his hope of fame and rank at Pauline's feet.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise RegainedVol. 4
- p. 371Satan rebukes Belial's lust and plans to tempt Christ through honour, glory and lawful appetite insteadread · scan
Edmund Burke, A Philosophical Inquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and BeautifulVol. 24
- p. 43–44Ambition gives satisfaction in excelling one's fellows and explains the prevalence of flattery and self-regard.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 256–258Burns recalls an early lasting wish to make some useful plan or book, or a song, for Scotland.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 357–358He never aspired to the papacy, refusing a colleague's offered vote; ambition restrained.read · scan
Lord Byron, ManfredVol. 18
- p. 422–423He rejects men's thirst of ambition; seeks a boon from the powers.read · scan
- p. 437Manfred's youthful aspiration to rule the minds of men and rise, and his refusal to serve in order to sway.read · scan
George Gordon, Lord Byron, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 794–796Reflects that false ambition, love and fame came unsought and made him only a name, missing a nobler aim.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, Inaugural Address at EdinburghVol. 25
- p. 384Advises avoiding ambition and needing success; seek modesty, or a nobler ambition rather than wealth or votes.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, The American ScholarVol. 5
- p. 18–19Men seek money and power, dreaming them highest; awakened, they would leap to the true good.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, New England ReformersVol. 5
- p. 264–265Ambition is pure when it will relinquish all possessions for something higher, like Caesar seeking the Nile's fountains.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, AutobiographyVol. 25
- p. 71Mill had abundant ambition and desire of distinction, and zeal for mankind's good.read · scan
Robert Browning, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1087'A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?'—ambition beyond attainable perfection.read · scan
8e.Vanity and the desire for praise
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 14The crow's vanity makes her open her mouth to sing.read · scan
- p. 20The old frog's vanity drives him to swell himself to bursting.read · scan
- p. 21Vanity misjudges true worth.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 101Confesses an inflamed, impatient desire for praise.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 110–111Corrupters exploit his vanity and ambition, urging him to outdo Pericles in public affairs.read · scan
Plutarch, CiceroVol. 12
- p. 221Desire of fame and family eagerness draw him to pleading despite caution.read · scan
- p. 222He abates ambition yet remains passionately fond of glory and pleased with his own praise.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 215Vehement desire for fame rejects nature's gift.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 14–15Teachers sought to satisfy insatiate desires for wealth and shameful glory.read · scan
- p. 191Desiring to be loved and feared of men in God's stead.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 246–247Never desire to be specially praised or loved; that belongs to God alone.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 174Sancho's vanity and ambition for rank and display.read · scan
- p. 499–500The village gapes at his adventures; his showy dress and inventions win attention.read · scan
Ben Jonson, The AlchemistVol. 47
- p. 580–582Mammon's ambition and lust let Face manipulate him with promises of praise and grandeur.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 364The desire of commendation persists even in the most mortified lives.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 125Satan becomes enamoured of his own image in Sin.read · scan
- p. 170Satan seeks to raise inordinate desires, vain hopes and pride in Eve.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 344Desire to conquer is natural and disguises itself as desire for truth's triumphread · scan
Alexander Pope, Solitude; On a Certain Lady at Court; Essay on ManVol. 40
- p. 430Ambition and envy of titles, gold and fame are shown to be foolish through examples.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, A Discourse upon the Origin and the Foundation of the Inequality among MankindVol. 34
- p. 223Craving for preference multiplies passions and competition among men.read · scan
Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsVol. 10
- p. 108Generous spirits crowd into professions from love of reputation and confidence in their own fortune.read · scan
Hector Macneil, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 577–578Vanity and wish for finery and security override her affection; time running short.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Tragedy of Faust, Part IVol. 19
- p. 119–120Margaret longs to own the earrings and adornment, tempted by vanity.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 146Companions' pictures of husband, balls and splendor rouse Gertrude's longing for worldly life.read · scan
- p. 146Gertrude dreams of splendor and pomp, imagining homage and command in a secret inner retreat.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 329–330Karen is captivated by the red shoes, longing for them above all else.read · scan
- p. 330–331Vanity for the shoes overrides holy occasions; the soldier's tempting remark stirs her.read · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 93–94Thirst for applause is the last infirmity of noble minds and the strongest impulse of average humanity; love of pleasure brings catastrophes.read · scan
Walter Bagehot, John MiltonVol. 28
- p. 201–202Eve pined with vain desire before her own reflection until warned by a voice.read · scan
Robert Louis Stevenson, Samuel PepysVol. 28
- p. 291The Diary reveals man's desire for publicity and lasting fame, though it remained a private pleasure.read · scan
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