essay ambition quotes

60 Ambition Quotes That’ll Change the Course of Your Life

If you’re looking for something that’ll push you to continue what you’ve started, this list of ambition quotes will help you conquer the unconquerable.

Having ambition is what drives us to greatness. It’s not uncommon to lose our focus or steam in the middle of doing something.

But, if we stay true to our ambitions, no matter how many breaks, pauses, or breathers we take, we know we’ll always get back on track.

Sadly, with all the challenges up ahead, it’s easy to get disheartened and unmotivated. In times like this, it’s essential to keep moving forward—to keep taking that next step—toward our ambitions.

Realizing our goals will undoubtedly wear us out. But, just keep being ambitious! In time, all your hard work will start to pay off, and you’ll eventually steer your life toward something better.

We’ve gathered the best ambition quotes to keep the fire inside you burning.

Read on and be inspired to tackle whatever obstacle lies ahead!

Check the complete list below.

And don’t miss out these achievement quotes .

Best Ambition Quotes

1. “When your ambition is greater than your fear, your life will get bigger than your dream.” – Farshad Asl

2. “Ambition is not a dirty word. Piss on compromise. Go for the throat.” – Steven Erikson

3. “Ambition is a lust that is never quenched, but grows more inflamed and madder by enjoyment.” – Thomas Otway

4. “Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work, one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

5. “Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” – Bill Bradley

6. “It is a grand thing to rise in the world. The ambition to do so is the very salt of the earth. It is the parent of all enterprise, and the cause of all improvement.” – Anthony Trollope

7. “Ambition is the epicenter of perseverance through which accomplishments spell success.” – Byron Pulsifer

8. “A dream without ambition is like a car without gas—you’re not going anywhere.” – Sean Hampton

9. “You can realize your full possibilities, but to dominate and achieve you must have high aims, ideals and ambitions—all linked to an iron will.” – W.D. Wattles

10. “Ambition is not what a man would do, but what a man does, for ambition without action is fantasy.” – Bryant H. McGill

11. “My ambition comes from my passion: finding what I love and then expanding on that.” – Miranda Kerr

12. “A man’s worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions.” – Marcus Aurelius

13. “Ambition is more than mere desire. It is desire plus incentive—determination—will to achieve the desire.” – Herbert Armstrong

14. “People with ambition don’t give a damn what other people think of them.” – Diane Setterfield

15. “The man who starts out simply with the idea of getting rich won’t succeed, you must have a larger ambition.” – John D. Rockefeller

Famous Ambition Quotes

16. “Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine. Ain’t nowhere else in the world where you can go from driving a truck to Cadillac overnight.” – Elvis Presley

17. “Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.” – Salvador Dali

18. “If you have a great ambition, take as big a step as possible in the direction of fulfilling it. The step may only be a tiny one, but trust that it may be the largest one possible for now.” – Mildred Mcafee

19. “If you have got a dream and you’ve got ambition, then go for it. You know, unless you try, you’ll never know.” – Eddie the Eagle

20. “Ambition can creep as well as soar.” – Edmund Burke

21. “Ambition is a Dead Sea fruit, and the greatest peril to the soul is that one is likely to get precisely what he is seeking.” – Edward Dahlberg

22. “Ambition is an idol, on whose wings great minds are carried only to the extreme, to be sublimely great, or to be nothing.” – Shakti Gawain

23. “A young man without ambition is an old man waiting to be.” – Steven Brust

24. “A man without ambition is dead. A man with ambition but no love is dead. A man with ambition and love for his blessings here on earth is ever so alive.” – Pearl Bailey

Also read: Famous Quotes , Positive Quotes

Ambition Quotes That Will Inspire You to Do Great Things

25. “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can somehow become great.” – Mark Twain

26. “We need people who dream impossible things, who maybe fail, sometimes succeed, but in any case who have that ambition.” – Emmanuel Macron

27. “At least 88% of millionaires are self-made. That is, they started with nothing but ambition and energy, the same way most of us start.” – Brian Tracy

28. “Realizing your ambitions, controlling your fate, and achieving unrivaled greatness is derived from knowing what to change, how to change, and, most importantly, why to change.” – Dean Gualco

29. “Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world usually do.” – Steve Jobs

30. “Being ambitious is actually good as long as you do not step on other people’s toes and provide inspiration to fellow men.” – Sara Wellington

31. “Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential.” – Barack Obama

Also read: Encouraging Quotes , Inspirational Quotes

Ambition Quotes for Everyone Who Needs to Focus On Their Goals

32. “Don’t be afraid to be ambitious about your goals. Hard work never stops. Neither should your dreams.” – Dwayne Johnson.

33. “Your ambitions will rise above your faults and you will get where you wish to go.” – Isabel Stevens Webster

34. “Get going. Move forward. Aim High. Plan a takeoff. Don’t just sit on the runway and hope someone will come along and push the airplane. It simply won’t happen. Change your attitude and gain some altitude. Believe me, you’ll love it up here.” – Donald Trump

35. “When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope is to leave the world a little better for having been there.” – Jim Henson

36. “My personal ambition remains the same—to be creative, to be modern, to stay one step ahead, to enjoy life.” – Natalie Massenet

37. “We can each define ambition and progress for ourselves. The goal is to work toward a world where expectations are not set by the stereotypes that hold us back, but by our personal passion, talents, and interests.” – Sheryl Sandberg

Short Ambition Quotes to Propel You Forward

38. “Ambition is enthusiasm with a purpose.” – Frank Tyger

39. “Ambitions reveal direction.” – Mace Windu

40. “Ambition never comes to an end.” – Yoshida Kenko

41. “My ambition is handicapped by laziness.” – Charles Bukowski

42. “To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition.” – Samuel Johnson

43. “Ambition is like love, impatient both of delays and rivals.” – Sir John Denham

44. “Ambition is the germ from which all growth of nobleness proceeds.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

45. “Ambition is more important than ability.” – P.S. Scott

46. “Big results require big ambitions.” – Heraclitus

47. “Achievement results from work realizing ambition.” – Adam Ant

Motivational Ambition Quotes That Will Boost Your Performance

48. “If a person holds no ambitions in this world, he suffers unknowingly. If a person holds ambitions, he suffers knowingly, but very slowly.” – Alan Lightman

49. “If a man does not work passionately—even furiously—at being the best in the world at what he does, he fails his talent, his destiny, and his God.” – George Lois

50. “Every man must play the part of his ambition. If you are trying to be a successful man, you must play the part.” – Orison Swett Marden

51. “Motivation and ambition either come from fear or love, it’s up to you to choose.” – Kevin Kerr

More Ambition Quotes That Will Keep the Fire Inside You Burning

52. “Oh, it’s delightful to have ambitions. I’m so glad I have such a lot. And there never seems to be any end to them—that’s the best of it. Just as soon as you attain one ambition you see another one glittering higher up still. It does make life so interesting.” – L.M. Montgomery

53. “I’m tough, I’m ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.” – Madonna

54. “Our ambition should be to rule ourselves, the true kingdom for each one of us—and true progress is to know more, and be more, and to do more.” – Oscar Wilde

55. “Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principals which direct them.” – Napoleon Bonaparte

56. “Ambition has one heel nailed in well, though she stretches her fingers to touch the heavens.” – William Lilly

57. “A man without ambition is like a beautiful worm—it can creep, but it cannot fly.” – Henry Ward Beecher

58. “If the fire in your heart is strong enough, it will burn away any obstacles that come your way.” – Suzy Kassem

59. “Ambition leads me not only farther than any other man has been before me but as far as I think it possible for a man to go.” – James Cook

60. “It has been a long journey, but if you dream and have the ambition and want to work hard, then you can achieve.” – Mo Farah

Did These Quotes Fuel Your Desire to Achieve Greater Things?

With ambitions, we tend to aim higher than what we have and aspire to be an inspiration to others. Through them, we are kept motivated, no matter how challenging it might be to succeed. From a more profound point of view, our ambitions are the carefully planned blueprints that’ll help us recognize the right course and path to take.

However, having big ambitions isn’t enough to succeed. Like Sean Hampton said, “A dream is like a car without gas—it won’t get you anywhere.”

Without effort, none of our goals will come true. Given that, it’s essential to keep in mind that hard work is what will make the wheels turn quicker. And, in time, we’ll eventually reach our goals and dreams!

Being ambitious leads us to destinations we never knew we could reach. So, let these quotes guide you toward an effective and efficient route to the life of your dreams!

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Karen Danao

Hi, I’m Karen , a content curator and writer for Quote Ambition; I’m also a marketing and advertising professional. Beyond the keyboard and the screen, I’m someone who’s out to enjoy every bit that life has to offer!

Poetry, philosophy, history, and movies are all topics I love writing about! However, my true passion is in traveling, photography, and finding common ground to which everyone from different cultures can relate.

With the many places I’ve been to, I found that love, inspiration, and happiness are some things that bring people together. No matter how different we are on the outside, I’m a true believer that our emotions don’t lie; if you dig deep into our psyche, we’re all the same inside.

This belief was further amplified when I joined Quote Ambition. Through the quotes I’ve read, collected, organized, and written about, I found that humans are resilient, creative, and compassionate.

We take from each others’ hearts and courage, and it’s through our individual experiences that we learn how to rise above our challenges and pain. In so many ways, Quote Ambition is a platform that allows people from all over the world to gain the inspiration they need anytime, anywhere!

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25 Ambition Quotes to Keep You Focused on Important Goals

There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.

Looking for inspiring words to keep you focused on your goals?

Today’s article features 25 of the most inspiring ambition quotes from wise and influential people throughout history. Each quote is a nugget of wisdom that has the ability to spur you onward and catapult you to success.

When harnessed for the good, ambition is a powerful force that can help manifest things that might otherwise seem impossible.

Dream big! When you finally achieve what you were aiming for, it will be an inspiring story to share with others.

• “ Ambition is the germ from which all growth of nobleness proceeds. ” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “ Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world usually do. ” – Steve Jobs
• When your ambition is greater than your fear , your life will get bigger than your dream. ” – Farshad Asl
• “ Ambitions reveal direction. ” – Mace Windu
• “ It is a grand thing to rise in the world. The ambition to do so is the very salt of the earth. It is the parent of all enterprise, and the cause of all improvement. ” – Anthony Trollope

It is a grand thing to rise in the world. The ambition to do so is the very salt of the earth. It is the parent of all enterprise, and the cause of all improvement. ” – Anthony Trollope

• “ Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. ” – Helen Keller
• “ Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine. Ain’t nowhere else in the world where you can go from driving a truck to Cadillac overnight. ” – Elvis Presley

• “ Ambition has one heel nailed in well, though she stretch her fingers to touch the heavens. ” – William Lilly
• “ If you have a great ambition, take as big a step as possible in the direction of fulfilling it. The step may only be a tiny one, but trust that it may be the largest one possible for now. ” – Mildred Macafee
• “ Ambition is not what a man would do, but what a man does, for ambition without action is fantasy. ” – Bryant McGill
• “ Those moments you fail are not the end, they are periods in which you recollect thoughts, ideas, and ambitions, and change direction. ” – Benjamin Chapin
• “ Ambition is a lust that is never quenched, but grows more inflamed and madder by enjoyment. ” – Thomas Otway
• “ Our ambition should be to rule ourselves, the true kingdom for each one of us; and true progress is to know more, and be more, and to do more. ” – Oscar Wilde
• “ Ambition is more than mere desire. It is desire plus incentive – determination – will to achieve the desire. ” – Herbert Armstrong
• “ Ambition has the power to change the fate of success . ” – Aniket Sharma

Ambition has the power to change the fate of success. ” – Aniket Sharma

• “ Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them. ” – Napoleon Bonaparte
• “ The man who starts out simply with the idea of getting rich won’t succeed, you must have a larger ambition. ” – John D. Rockefeller

• “ There is a loftier ambition than merely to stand high in the world. It is to stoop down and lift mankind a little higher. ” – Henry van Dyke
• “ Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. ” – Mark Twain
• “ Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings. ” – Salvador Dali

• “ Visions are worth fighting for. Why spend your life making someone else’s dreams? ” – Tim Burton
• “ Don’t be afraid to be ambitious about your goals . Hard work never stops. Neither should your dreams. ” – Dwayne Johnson
• “ Ambition beats genius 99% of the time. ” – Jay Leno
• “ A lot of people dream, and while they are busy dreaming, the powerful, engaged people? Are busy doing. ” – Shonda Rhimes
• “ A man without ambition is like a beautiful worm — it can creep, but it cannot fly. ” – Henry Ward Beecher

Final Thoughts Ambition Quotes

We hope you enjoyed this collection of ambition quotes and that they inspire you to follow your own dreams and focus on your goals.

If you love any of the artwork featured today, feel free to share it. A share through your favorite social media platform is greatly appreciated.

And if you want more inspirational quotes, be sure to check out these blog posts:

• 83 Walt Disney Quotes About Dreams, Imagination, and Living a Magical Life
• 45 Vision Quotes to Turn Your Dreams into Reality
• 157 Goal Setting and Achieving Quotes for 2023

Finally, if you want to use these quotes to make a lasting change to your life, then watch this free video that details the 7-minute habit for planning your day to focus on what's truly important to you. .

We wish you all the success!

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• School Education /

Essay On My Ambition in 300 Words

• Updated on  
• Nov 27, 2023

Essay on My Ambition: In addition to providing us with a clear vision of our goals and self-worth having ambitions in life also provides us with a steady source of inspiration that keeps us moving forward.

What is the best thing you wish for yourself? What are your ambitions or objectives in life? Where do you see yourself in the next ten years? These are some common questions asked by teachers in class to students. However, a lot of students are not clear about their ambitions in life. Some of the reasons cited for this are procrastination, the psychology of fear, multitasking, and unclear goals. As a student, it is your responsibility to have ambitions and work hard to achieve them. Everyone has their ambitions. Some might say they want to become a successful businessperson, engineer, scientist, entrepreneur, etc. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a compelling reason. You must understand the best option for you and what drives your interest. Here’s an example of an essay on my ambition that you can refer to. 

Table of Contents

• 1 7 Lines on Goals and Ambitions in Life
• 2 Essay On My Ambition in 300 Words
• 3 Quotes On Ambitions in Life

Also Read: Essay on Grandparents in 500 Words

7 Lines on Goals and Ambitions in Life

Here are 7 lines on goals and ambitions in life. Students will get an understanding of their goals and ambitions in life with these lines.

• ‘I want to join the army as I want to serve my motherland.’
• ‘I want to become a doctor so that I can save lives.’
• ‘I want to become a cricket player as I have been following the Indian Cricket Team since 6.’
• ‘I want to become a social activist so that help people in need.’
• ‘I want to become an astronaut because I want to explore the realities of outer space.’
• ‘I want to consistently work hard to become a successful data scientist .’
• ‘I want to become a teacher so that a better future can be achieved.’

Also Read: Essay on 5g Technology

‘My ambition is to become an influential and successful environmental scientist. The resources around us are depleting at an unprecedented rate due to overuse and wastage of resources. My ambition to become an environmental scientist goes beyond my personal goals. In recent years, the world has witnessed several alarming climate changes, some of which were life-threatening.’

Carl Sagan once said, ‘Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.’ The disturbances in our ecosystem will have consequences for both human and animal lives. My passion is fueled by the energy to drive innovative solutions to reduce environmental challenges and build a sustainable future. My ambition consists of actively supporting environmentally friendly practices and policies. I aspire to contribute to public awareness, influencing positive change through education and collaboration.

Through my goal, I want to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical implementation, ensuring that my work has a tangible impact on the communities and ecosystems I aim to protect. I know there will be tough challenges in my path. However, I am prepared to exhibit resilience and perseverance. Each challenge is an opportunity to strengthen my commitment and find creative solutions to overcome obstacles.’

Through my goal, I will be able to recognize the interconnectedness of environmental issues. I want to aspire to collaborate with like-minded individuals, organizations, and governments on a global scale. It’s a collective effort to address the environmental challenges that transcend borders.

‘In the end, I would like to add that I am dedicated to pursuing educational opportunities, advocating for change, and overcoming challenges with resilience. I am prepared to face the challenges in my way as I am determined to contribute meaningful and environment-friendly solutions for a healthy and sustainable life for everyone.’

Also Read: Essay on Peace for School Students

Quotes On Ambitions in Life

Here are some popular quotes on ambitions in life. They will help you to know your ambitions in life in a better way.

• ‘Ambition is enthusiasm with a purpose.’ – Frank Tyger
• ‘The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment.’ – Tony Robbins
• ‘Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.’ – Bill Bradley
• ‘Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.’ – Roy T. Bennett
• ‘Your ambition should be the master of your expectations.’ – Charles Noble
• ‘The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible.’ – Charles Kingsleigh (from Alice in Wonderland)
• ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that count.’ – Winston S. Churchill
• “Chase your passion, not your pension.” – Denis Waitley

Ans: Ambitions are something that you want for yourself. People have strong desires and aspirations that they work very hard to achieve.

Ans: My ambition in life is to become a successful teacher so that I can help create a better future. I see my teachers in school how hard they work to make sure we understand the academic information and learn life lessons. I want to work hard like my teachers so that I can be as successful as they are; not from a personal point of view but for a better future.

Ans: Here are some popular goals for students; Teacher, Scientist, Engineer, Soldier, Data Scientist, Financial Adviser, Chartered Accountant, and Sportsperson.

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For more information on such interesting topics, visit our essay writing page and follow Leverage Edu .

Shiva Tyagi

With an experience of over a year, I've developed a passion for writing blogs on wide range of topics. I am mostly inspired from topics related to social and environmental fields, where you come up with a positive outcome.

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The Best Ambition Quotes To Keep You Focused

Ambition refers to the drive to achieve something that requires hard work and dedication. Techniques like breaking bigger goals into smaller steps and working with a therapist can help you increase your sense of ambition so you can have a better chance of getting to the finish line. In addition, quotes on the topic can help you get started or stay motivated if you feel that you momentarily lack ambition during your journey. Ambition quotes can offer the encapsulated wisdom of those who have attained their goals in the past. Below, we've highlighted several quotes about ambition that might inspire you.

Quotes on ambition and determination

Determination often goes hand in hand with ambition, because it can help keep you on track even in the face of obstacles or setbacks. The following quotes may give you a dose of the determination you may need to achieve your goals:

• "Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in". –Bill Bradley
• "Our ambition should be to rule ourselves, the true Kingdom for each of us; and true progress is to know more, be more, and do more". –Oscar Wilde
• "A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them". –Liberty Hyde Bailey
• “The man who starts out simply with the idea of getting rich won’t succeed, you must have a larger ambition.” – John D. Rockefeller
• "Never give up. It's like breathing: Once you quit, your flame dies to let total darkness extinguish every last gasp of hope. You can't do that. You must continue taking in even the shallowest of breaths, continue putting forth even the smallest of efforts to sustain your dreams. Don't ever, ever, ever give up". –Richelle E. Goodrich
• “Don’t be afraid to be ambitious about your goals. Hard work never stops. Neither should your dreams.” –Dwayne Johnson
• “My mom is always telling me, it takes a long time to get to the top, but a short time to get to the bottom.” –Miley Cyrus
• “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” – Mark Twain
• “If you risk nothing, then you risk everything.” –Geena Davis
• “Ambition is more than mere desire. It is desire plus incentive - determination - will to achieve the desire.” – Herbert Armstrong
• "Whatever your passion is, keep doing it. Don't waste time chasing after success or comparing yourself to others. Every flower blooms at a different pace. Excel at doing what your passion is and only focus on perfecting it. Eventually, people will see what you are great at doing, and if you are great, success will come chasing after you". –Suzy Kassem
• “It is a grand thing to rise in the world. The ambition to do so is the very salt of the earth. It is the parent of all enterprise, and the cause of all improvement.” –Anthony Trollope
• "When it comes to fighting for your dreams, be a dragon. Breathe fire". –Richelle E. Goodrich
• “Ambitions reveal direction.” – Mace Windu
• "If life throws you a few bad notes or vibrations, don't let them interrupt or alter your song". –Suzy Kassem

Quotes on ambition and character

Some goals can also benefit and inspire those around us. The quotes below are about how ambition can relate to character in these ways:

• "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved". –Helen Keller
• “Great ambition is the passion of great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
• "We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community. Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and our own". –Cesar Chavez
• "The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise". –Maya Angelou
• “Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.” – Salvador Dali
• "I would rather be a little nobody than to be an evil somebody". –Abraham Lincoln
• "Persistence. Perfection. Patience. Power. Prioritize your passion. It keeps you sane". –Criss Jami
• “Dreams, indeed, are ambition; for the very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.” – William Shakespeare
• “Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition” – Timothy Leary
• "Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential". –Barack Obama
• "When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope is to leave the world a little better for having been there". –Jim Henson
• “There is one weakness in people for which there is no remedy. It is the universal weakness of lack of ambition!” – Napoleon Hill

Quotes on ambition and inspiration

A bit of inspiration is often what fuels ambition. If you’re looking to get inspired to start or continue on your own journey, these quotes might help:

• “I think once we let our ego go, we just get over the fact that not everybody’s going to like us—and that’s okay! Because there will be people who do dig it. And even if they don’t, do you? You get one life. Who cares what everyone else thinks?” –Kelly Clarkson
• "We need people who dream impossible things, who maybe fail, sometimes succeed, but in any case, who have that ambition". –Emmanuel Macron
• "It has been a long journey, but if you dream and have the ambition and want to work hard, then you can achieve". –Mo Farah
• "It is true of the Nation, as of the individual, that the greatest doer must also be a great dreamer". –Theodore Roosevelt
• “A man’s worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions.” – Marcus Aurelius
• "There is hope in dreams, imagination, and in the courage of those who wish to make those dreams a reality". –Jonas Salk
• "Remember how far you've come, and you won't have to rely on a destiny for your future. It will come on your own". –Shannon A. Thompson
• “A young man without ambition is an old man waiting to be.” – Steven Brust
• "You were born a winner, a warrior, one who defied the odds by surviving the most gruesome battle of them all—the race to the egg. And now that you are a giant, why do you even doubt victory against smaller numbers and wider margins? The only walls that exist are those you have placed in your mind. And whatever obstacles you conceive, exist only because you have forgotten what you have already achieved". –Suzy Kassem
• "Mother Dear, one day I'm going to turn this world upside down". –Martin Luther King Jr.
• “Being unique and different was a really good thing. When I walked into my agent’s office for the first time, they looked at me and said, ‘Wow, we have nobody on our books like you.’ And they signed me on my second day.” –Rebel Wilson
• "Follow your star; it's never too late, even if it doesn't quite happen as you expect". –Jemima Pett
• "Blaze your own trail; make your own path to success. It's good to desire something; it's desirable to have ambitions and being ambitious is a sign of strength. But don't be a copycat. Don't end up chasing someone else's dream or achieving their goals. Be original, decide what you want, be clear about your goal, and then be resolute enough to follow it to its logical conclusion. You will be happier with such successes because that dream and the hard work that you put in to achieve that goal was your own from beginning to the end”. –Latika Teotia

Tips for a healthy sense of ambition

Many consider balance to be an important element of ambition. If you don’t have enough ambition, you might have trouble achieving your goals or experiencing growth. If you have too much ambition , you may be at risk of stress and burnout. Blind ambition can also cause problems since the desire for power, fame, or wealth of any kind at all costs can lead to a lack of fulfillment and unethical or even unlawful behavior. If you’re having trouble cultivating a healthy, balanced sense of ambition, the following tips might help:

• Set SMART goals so you know what you’re working toward
• Use time-management methods to increase productivity
• Rest regularly to preserve energy and creativity
• Find healthy methods of managing stress
• Stay in touch with why you want to reach a specific goal
• Consider how your actions may affect others along the way

Having trouble focusing on your goals? Find clarity with a licensed therapist

How therapy can help.

If you’re looking for guidance on achieving your goals, avoiding burnout, or other topics related to ambition , you might also consider seeking the support of a therapist. If a mental health condition is making it difficult for you to find motivation or focus on tasks, they can help you identify and address your symptoms. If you’re consistently overworking yourself, they may be able to assist you in discovering the root cause of your behavior and more healthfully managing your workload. Whatever your relationship with ambition, a therapist can offer support if it’s causing you concern.

Ambitious people often have busy schedules, sometimes making in-person therapy visits difficult to attend with regularity. It’s one reason some prefer online therapy instead. With a virtual therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with from the comfort of home or anywhere you have an internet connection. Scheduling is often more flexible than with traditional, in-office settings, and you can speak with your provider via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging according to what’s most comfortable for you. Research suggests that online therapy may be as efficacious as in-person sessions for a variety of mental health conditions and concerns, so you can typically pick the format that’s best for you.

What are the most motivational quotes?

The quotes one person finds motivational may not be effective for another, so browsing motivational or inspirational quotes, in general, may help you find the ones that resonate most with you. Many people like to read the words written by successful individuals who have achieved their goals despite great adversity, for example. A simple search for motivational quotes in your preferred website browser can turn up a variety of results to consider.

What is ambition in life?

Ambition refers to the strong drive to achieve something that requires hard work and dedication. Ambition in life can take many forms, such as the motivation to study hard to enter a certain profession or the drive to take action to help make the world a better place.

What is a good quote for success?

If you’re looking for quotes to fuel your motivation to achieve your goals and aspirations and find success, you might look up those said by people who have been successful in your desired field or area. For example, someone who wants to get ready to be successful in athletics could look up inspirational quotes by accomplished athletes such as Simone Biles, Michael Jordan, or Usain Bolt.

What are 5 positive quotes?

Some quotes that convey a sense of positivity include:

• “I dwell in possibility.” –Emily Dickinson
• “A goal is not always meant to be reached; it often serves simply as something to aim at.” –Bruce Lee
• “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” –Mahatma Gandhi
• “A friend may be waiting behind a stranger’s face.” –Maya Angelou
• “You are enough just as you are.” –Meghan Markle

What are 3 inspirational quotes?

Three quotes that people who are looking to find a sense of inspiration in the moment may be interested in include:

• “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” –Nelson Mandela
• “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched—they must be felt with the heart.” –Helen Keller
• "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." –Mother Teresa

What is the best attitude quote?

There are many different quotes about how your attitude can affect the matter of your success. Examples include “Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens” by Khalil Gibran, or “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude” by Zig Ziglar.

Why is ambition so powerful?

Ambition is the sense that can drive people to achieve their dreams. It’s what can help keep you going even as you encounter obstacles. Healthy ambition is a key element in many success stories of different types across cultures and throughout history.

• Exploring Ambition: Factors That Influence Our Drive For Success Medically reviewed by Paige Henry , LMSW, J.D.
• Relationships and Relations

30 Ambition Quotes to Motivate You to Succeed in Life

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. That means that if you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Read more here .

When the ambition to succeed in life awakens inside you, your motivation to achieve your goals and dreams goes through the roof! Maintain a positive mindset and fuel your drive to succeed with these powerful ambition quotes, and you can reach your full potential!

These quotes about ambitions and goals are provocative, thoughtful, and packed with meaning – which one is your new favorite?

READ MORE: 100 Personal Goal Examples to Set for Yourself in 2022

30 Greatest Ambition Quotes

• “A man’s worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions.” – Marcus Aurelius
• “Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great.” – Mark Twain
• “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” – Steve Jobs
• “Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” – Bill Bradley
• “The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.” – Maya Angelou
• “There is one weakness in people for which there is no remedy. It is the universal weakness of lack of ambition.” – Napoleon Hill
• “Ambition is enthusiasm with a purpose.” – Frank Tyger
• “Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine.” – Elvis Presley
• “Don’t be afraid to be ambitious about your goals. Hard work never stops. Neither should your dreams.” – Dwayne Johnson.
• “Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work, one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.” – Walter H. Cottingham
• “A young man without ambition is an old man waiting to be.” – Steven Brust
• “Ambition beats genius 99 percent of the time.” – Jay Leno
• “To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition.” – Samuel Johnson
• “Ambition is like love, impatient both of delays and rivals.” – Sir John Denham
• “The very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.” – William Shakespeare
• “Ambitions reveal direction.” – Mace Windu
• “When your ambition is greater than your fear, your life will get bigger than your dream.” – Farshad Asl
• “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” – Helen Keller
• “It is a grand thing to rise in the world. The ambition to do so is the very salt of the earth. It is the parent of all enterprise, and the cause of all improvement.” – Anthony Trollope
• “Ambition is not what a man would do, but what a man does, for ambition without action is fantasy.” – Bryant McGill
• “Ambition is more than mere desire. It is desire plus incentive – determination – will to achieve the desire.” – Herbert Armstrong
• “Our ambition should be to rule ourselves, the true kingdom for each one of us; and true progress is to know more, and be more, and to do more.” – Oscar Wilde
• “The heart is the epicenter of everything as it is where dreams, hopes and ambitions are born.” – Cess Gichuhi
• “A dream without ambition is like a car without gas… you’re not going anywhere.” – Sean Hampton
• “The man who starts out simply with the idea of getting rich won’t succeed, you must have a larger ambition.” – John D. Rockefeller
• “Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principals which direct them.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
• “Motivation and ambition either come from fear or love, it’s up to you to choose.” – Kevin Kerr
• “Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition.” – Timothy Leary
• “A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them.” – Liberty Hyde Bailey

RELATED POST: 200+ You Are Amazing Quotes to Delight Yourself or a Loved One

Final thoughts on ambition quotes

How do you feel after reading these ambition quotes? Do you feel motivated and inspired? Hungry and hopeful?

Remember, as these quotes about ambitions and goals say, simply having a dream or a goal isn’t enough to succeed in life – you have to go out and put energy towards achieving them!

Here are some ways to go from reading quotes about being ambitious to actually going out and doing something about it.

Ideas on how to set and achieve goals

• Download the #1 SMART Goals Template [PDF]
• 50+ Personal Mottos to Inspire You to Live Your Best Life
• How to Write SMART Goals: 21 Examples and Printable Worksheet [PDF]

Ideas on how to succeed with the Law of Attraction

• How to Make a Vision Board That ACTUALLY Works
• 10 Best Vision Board Supplies to Manifest Like a Total Boss
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More quotes to motivate or inspire you

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Essay on Ambition

Students are often asked to write an essay on Ambition in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Ambition

Understanding ambition.

Ambition is a strong desire to achieve something big in life. It is like a goal that motivates us to work hard. People with ambition are always ready to face challenges and overcome obstacles. They never give up until they reach their goal.

The Role of Ambition

Ambition plays a key role in shaping our life. It gives us a direction and purpose. It drives us to learn new things and improve ourselves. Without ambition, we may lack the motivation to progress. Ambition helps us to set high standards and strive for success.

Ambition and Success

Ambition and success often go hand in hand. People who are ambitious tend to be more successful because they are determined and focused. They know what they want and they work hard to achieve it. It is their ambition that fuels their journey to success.

Healthy Ambition

While ambition is important, it should be healthy. It means we should not harm others or ourselves in the process of achieving our goals. We should also be realistic and understand that success takes time. Having a healthy ambition means being patient and persistent in our efforts.

In conclusion, ambition is a powerful force that can help us succeed in life. It gives us a sense of purpose and motivates us to strive for excellence. But we should always remember to have a healthy ambition and respect others in our pursuit of success.

Also check:

• Paragraph on Ambition

250 Words Essay on Ambition

Ambition is a strong wish to achieve something. Every person has different ambitions in life. Some might want to be a doctor, an engineer, or a teacher, while others might want to be a singer, an actor, or a sports person. Ambition gives us a goal in life and helps us strive towards it.

Ambition plays a key role in every person’s life. It is like a guiding star that keeps us focused on our path. It pushes us to work hard, learn new things, and overcome challenges. Without ambition, life can seem like a boat without a rudder, drifting aimlessly.

Ambition and success are closely linked. People who are ambitious often succeed because they have a clear goal and they are willing to work hard for it. They are not afraid of failures and they learn from their mistakes. Their ambition gives them the strength to keep going even when things are tough.

It’s important to have ambition, but it should be healthy. This means that we should not let our ambition harm others or ourselves. We should not cheat, lie, or hurt others to achieve our goals. Our ambition should make us better people, not the opposite.

In conclusion, ambition is a vital part of life. It gives us a purpose and helps us achieve our goals. But we should always remember to have healthy ambition and not let it harm others or ourselves.

500 Words Essay on Ambition

Ambition is a strong wish to achieve something. Every person has different ambitions in life. It is the driving force that leads us to work hard and achieve our goals. Ambition is like a compass that guides us and shows us the right path to follow.

Ambition plays a very important role in our lives. It gives us a sense of direction and purpose. Without ambition, we may feel lost and unsure of what we want to do. It is like a map that helps us reach our destination. It pushes us to do better and strive for success.

Types of Ambition

There are different types of ambitions. Some people want to be successful in their careers, while others want to make a difference in the world. Some people’s ambition might be to become a doctor, engineer, or teacher, while others might want to be a musician, artist, or writer. Everyone’s ambition is unique and personal to them.

The Positive Side of Ambition

Ambition can bring positive changes in our lives. It motivates us to work hard and achieve our goals. It encourages us to learn new things and improve our skills. Ambition can make us more focused and determined. It can also make us more confident and self-assured. Achieving our ambitions can bring us happiness and satisfaction.

The Negative Side of Ambition

While ambition can be a good thing, it can also have a negative side. If we become too focused on our ambitions, we might ignore other important things in life like family, friends, and health. We might also feel stressed and pressured if we are not able to achieve our ambitions. It is important to have a balance and not let our ambitions take over our lives.

In conclusion, ambition is a very important part of our lives. It gives us a purpose and direction. It motivates us to work hard and achieve our goals. But it is also important to remember that ambition should not take over our lives. We should strive for a balance and remember that there are other important things in life as well. Ambition is a tool that can help us achieve our goals, but it should not become the only thing that matters in our lives.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on American Colonization In The Philippines
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My Ambition Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on my ambition.

Almost everyone dreams of something while growing up. We all have ambitions when we are little, which change as we grow up. Ambitions lead us to a definite aim in life. Furthermore, they help us focus on our goal no matter the cost. It drives us to do better in life. Ambitions differ from one person to another.

However, one common thing usually found is that over time, people switch their ambition to something else than that which they wished to be when little. We have many people in the medical field who wanted to be dancers. Similarly, some of the greatest politicians wanted to be artists. So we see how easily one gives up on their dreams and ambition to adapt to society.

My Ambition

The ambition of any person’s life usually depends on their choice and interests. I aspire to be a great dancer . I have always had the knack for dancing from an early age. My parents always encouraged me to pursue my passion. Like most of the parents, they never discouraged me because it is not the most sought after career.

Subsequently, I wish to become a good dancer. I do not want the fame of being a dancer; rather I want the acclaim of being a good dancer. As my parents motivated me to pursue my dream, they enrolled me in dance classes. It helped me grow a lot as a dancer and also enhance my skills.

Most importantly, I wish to be a dance because I want to remove the stigma surrounding this career path. I want to set an example that you can do well in life if you’re not a doctor or engineer. Especially in India, where these two ambitions are considered the most valid.

I believe in the power of dance, and how it conveys the message without words. Dance is the language of the soul, and it makes me feel alive when I indulge in it.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Why I Chose this Ambition?

It would seem odd to choose to be a dancer as an ambition, especially when everyone is in the race of becoming a lawyer , doctor or engineer . But, I still believe that just because something is not common, doesn’t mean we cannot attain it.

I wish to dance so I could teach others to become experts in this field. Furthermore, I wish to help the underprivileged section who are interested in this ambition. I want to reach a height which enables me to offer them proper dance training free of cost so they can reach great heights.

Above all, I wish to be the wind beneath their wings. I want to create awareness about the importance of dance and how it benefits us physically as well. I hope I can achieve this ambition of mine someday. Till then, I won’t leave any stone unturned in reaching the finish line.

FAQ on My Ambition Essay

Q.1 How do ambitions help people?

A.1 Ambitions helps people in focusing their mind to achieve a set goal. Furthermore, it trains them to be better in achieving their ambition.

Q.2 Why must one have an ambition?

A.2 We all must have at least one ambition to achieve in life. It teaches us the importance of discipline and hard work. Having ambition gives you something to look forward to each day. In addition, it makes you determined.

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Friday essay: ambition, our least liked virtue?

Paul Eliadis Chair of Classics and Ancient History, The University of Queensland

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Alastair Blanshard does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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Talent and ambition. Having the first without the second is a tragedy. The latter without the former leads to comedy. Ambition is the catalyst that allows us to achieve many great things, yet it remains a curiously unexamined emotion in modern life.

A new book, Ambition: An Essay on the Burning Desire to Rise, by Eckart Goebel , offers an historical and philosophical examination of this emotion and how the West has viewed it over the centuries.

Goebel traces how authors from Homer through to Tocqueville, Nietzsche, Kafka, and Freud have tackled the topic of ambition and its consequences. These authors explored the potentials and pitfalls that accompany the desire to achieve. Too often they found themselves in a terrible bind. Alive to the dangers that ambition posed, they were unable to imagine a world without it.

Is ambition a virtue or a vice? Success clearly requires some form of self-belief and motivation, but it is all too easy for self-belief to turn to selfishness and for motivation to transform into a one-eyed fanaticism indifferent to the suffering of others.

The debate about the value of ambition has raged since classical antiquity. Aristotle classified it as a virtue, but then adds so many qualifications you begin to wonder whether he wasn’t starting to regret this decision.

The Greek poet Hesiod had a bet each way, arguing there are in fact two forms of ambition, which he regards as a form of strife or envy: a productive one and a destructive one.

The productive one is the motivating factor that inspires the farmer or potter to try and best their rivals, so fuelling progress. The destructive form of ambition leads to spite, cruelty, and conflict.

What are the origins of ambition?

Where did this desire to always be first come from? Goebel cites evolutionary biologists who attribute the origins of this craving to the competitive advantages given to speedy members of a species. In the natural world, it is good to be fast on your feet. You are always either chasing something or being chased. The winner was the person who managed to capture the prey or avoided being it.

In many cases, there were no prizes for coming second. The evolutionary biologist Josef H. Reichholf in his book Why we Want to Win compared our circumstances to the gibbons that swing through the jungle in search of fruit.

It was a quest in which timing is everything. The gibbon that reaches the crop of ripe fruit first can normally consume it before all the other gibbons arrive. In a similar way, early hominids who existed primarily on eating carrion were advantaged if they managed to reach the carcass before the others could. Through the process of natural selection, the desire to triumph over others was hard-wired into us.

Like most evolutionary explanations, this account for the origins of ambition appears superficially attractive. There is something pleasing about seeing today’s politicians vying for power as the direct descendants of barely upright apes fighting over a rotting corpse.

Yet given the extraordinary range of ways ambition can manifest itself and the complex effects it has on the human psyche, it feels like there is more at play here than just genetics. As we contemplate humanity’s journey from a mango-munching mammal launching itself from tree to tree to Jeff Bezos launching himself into space, it is hard not to think that it is the intervening steps, rather than the first ones, that matter.

Read more: Branson vs Bezos: as the billionaires get ready to blast into space, who's got the better plan?

Certainly, Freud thought there was more to locating the cause of ambition. Freud saw ambition as a reaction against the deep sense of powerlessness we experience as we move from the complete narcissism of infancy, in which every demand is met, to the trauma of childhood and adolescence when we realise just how inferior we are to adult members of the community. As we progress through the world, we seek opportunities to reassert ourselves and refute the dread that inferiority is our natural condition.

Sometimes, even the smallest achievements are what we need to help us get through the day. Goebel quotes Freud’s friend and associate, Ernest Jones , on how this sense of powerlessness can manifest itself as an ambition in an individual. The analyst recounts the story of the strange compulsion a young man had on entering a public bathroom .

He would rush straight to the first urinal and proudly declare “first before all others”; if it was occupied and he was obliged to take the second urinal, he would remark loudly “second to none”; if he could only obtain the third, he would console himself by saying “in the top three”; and if forced to take the last urinal, he would announce to everyone that he was “last but not least”.

Only by celebrating these triumphs could he feel good about his place in the world. If nothing else, the story is a salutary warning to all parents toilet-training their children. You might want to go a little easy on the praise, lest you warp your child’s priorities and set them up for a lifetime of awkward encounters in public conveniences.

How productive is ambition?

An overwhelming desire to get the first stall in the toilet is clearly pathological. Yet, it does raise a question about what a suitable target for ambition should be. An ambition for virtue or to improve everybody’s social conditions is obviously laudable. Yet such ambitions are rarely found outside of the truly saintly.

On the other hand, apart from a few hard-core advocates of the free-market, the ambition to accumulate great wealth has for centuries been viewed as deeply problematic. Gordon Gekko in the film Wall Street may have declared that “Greed, in all of its forms … has marked the upward surge of mankind,” yet few have been happy to openly endorse these sentiments.

A more difficult question is raised by how we should view an ambition for the good opinion and praise of others. Wanting to be well regarded may lie behind some of the greatest acts of philanthropy, but it is also productive of much anxiety and social problems.

The Greek hero Achilles was offered the choice of living a long life of anonymity or an early death at Troy and spectacular fame. He chose fame.

We regard Achilles’ choice as heroic, but at its core his death is no more heroic than that of the surprising number of Instagram influencers who have died falling off cliffs or in other dangerous locales trying to take a spectacular selfie in a desperate pursuit of “Likes”.

The conditions under which the ambitious thrive is an area of concern. Alexander the Great wept because there were no more worlds to conquer. The operative word here is “conquer”. Consensus and ambition do not make easy bedfellows. Conflict and strife provide the greatest opportunities for the ambitious man.

Nobody doubts Putin’s ambition. Is the war in Ukraine the inescapable result? Certainly, Nietzsche saw violence as the inevitable result of ambition. For him, all competition was a form of sublimated or idealised war. Gymnastics was nothing but the battlefield translated onto parallel bars.

Read more: Explainer: Nietzsche, nihilism and reasons to be cheerful

Ambitious individuals tend to encourage environments of intense competition because they thrive in them. When Alexander the Great was dying, he was asked to name his successor. He said that he would bequeath his empire to “the strongest” and he died leaving his generals to fight it out amongst themselves as to who this would be.

Similarly, Abraham Lincoln constructed a cabinet dubbed the “Team of Rivals” because of the intensity of their struggles with each other and Lincoln.

More recently, the management-style of Donald Trump has been criticised because of his tendency to pit his advisers, and even according to some accounts his own children, against each other. In such circumstances, some rise to the occasion, but others do not. The problem with a “sink or swim” approach is that people drown.

A ‘manly’ trait

Ambition has proven to be a deeply gendered concept. Aristotle remarks in the Nichomachean Ethics that, “We praise the ambitious person as manly.”

Ever since, ambition has been seen as a fundamentally masculine trait and, by correlation, a rejection of ambition as central to femininity. Goebel quotes author Christina Henríquez from her essay in the book Double Bind: Women on Ambition :

Ambition is active, not passive; it’s forceful, not meek; it’s stubborn, not yielding. It’s everything that society tells woman not to be. It’s unfeminine, for goodness sake!

The tradition of seeing the ambitious woman as a monster is a long one. Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth has proven to be paradigmatic in this regard. From practically the very first time we see her, she is casting off her womanhood in order to advance herself and her husband. Inflamed by ambition, she renounces her femininity,

Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty! … Come to my woman’s breasts, and take my milk for gall.

It is a great role, but it has had important consequences for perceptions of female leadership and ambition.

The shadow of Lady Macbeth continues to cast its pall even to this day. Female politicians on all sides of politics know too well the dilemmas created by the gendering of ambition. Show none and nobody takes you seriously. However, show a dose of healthy ambition as a woman and you are portrayed as freakish and unfeminine, cold, lacking in empathy, calculating, and ruthless.

Read more: Macbeth by William Shakespeare: a timeless exploration of violence and treachery

A few politicians lean into the stereotypes. It was initially a Russian propagandist who dismissed Margaret Thatcher as “The Iron Lady”. Thatcher embraced the title with gusto. Only a week after the Russian Defence Ministry was attributed to using the term, she held forth in a speech in London,

I stand before you tonight … my face softly made up and my fair hair gently waved, the Iron Lady of the Western world, a Cold War warrior, an Amazon philistine … Yes, I am an iron lady.

It was a persona that she used to great advantage. Iron is brutal in its inflexibility and strength. When Thatcher declared that “the lady’s not for turning”, people knew that she meant it.

However, for most female leaders, the refusal to regard ambition as a naturally feminine trait has proved a tiresome impediment to getting things done and getting their message across. Hillary Clinton, Penny Wong and Julia Gillard all suffered from allegations of lacking feminine warmth.

In Gillard’s case, her lack of children was seen as symptomatic of her burning lust for power. The Liberal Senator Bill Heffernan accused Gillard of being “deliberately barren” , echoing criticism Gillard faced from both her opponents and even those on her own side of politics.

As she joked in friendly terms with Barack Obama,

I tell him, “you think it’s tough being African-American? Try being me. Try being an atheist, childless, single woman as prime minister”.

Rejecting ambition

Are we becoming more suspicious of ambition? The last election produced many compelling stories. One of the most discussed was the failure of Kristina Keneally to win the seat of Fowler in western Sydney.

Among the reasons given for her rejection was the feeling amongst voters that her desire to win the seat was merely the product of her ambition rather than a genuine desire to serve others. Her ambition was too naked.

Our current ambivalence towards ambition seems to be reflected in our cinemas as well. So far the most popular and critically successfully movie this year has been Top Gun: Maverick.

It tells the story of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise), a man who “should be a two-star admiral,” but has never risen above the rank of captain. Not interested in a successful career, Maverick only lives to fly. He is a modern-day Icarus who only feels “the need for speed”.

Maverick’s desire for speed seems a return to the supposedly evolutionary roots of ambition, and maybe audiences are reacting to the purity and primordial nature of it.

Alternatively, perhaps the greatest ambition that unites us all is the desire to loop and roll in a fighter jet at Mach 3 and emerge, like Cruise, with perfect hair.

• Kristina Keneally

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13 of the Greatest Quotes on Ambition

• Post author: Luke
• Post category: Goals

Ambition is one quality that not a lot of people have. But for those who do have it, they seem to always be succeeding at everything. I recently wrote about how to know if you’re ambitious and reviewed some inspiring examples of ambitious people. But to dive deeper into the topic, here are some of the best quotes on ambition.

Top 5 Ambition Quotes

“Don’t be afraid to be ambitious about your goals. Hard work never stops. Neither should your dreams.” — Dwayne Johnson

“Distance yourself from negative people who try to lower your motivation and decrease your ambition. Create space for positive people to come into your life. Surround yourself with positive people who believe in your dreams, encourage your ideas, support your ambitions, and bring out the best in you.” — Roy T. Bennett

“A man’s worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions.” — Marcus Aurelius

“There is one weakness in people for which there is no remedy. It is the universal weakness of lack of ambition.” — Napoleon Hill

“Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great.” — Mark Twain

4 Quotes on What You Can Do With Ambition

“When your ambition is greater than your fear, your life will get bigger than your dream.” — Farshad Asl

“Big results require big ambitions.” — Heraclitus

“Oh, it’s delightful to have ambitions. I’m so glad I have such a lot. And there never seems to be any end to them– that’s the best of it. Just as soon as you attain to one ambition you see another one glittering higher up still. It does make life so interesting.” — L.M. Montgomery

“Ambition beats genius 99 percent of the time.” — Jay Leno

4 Quotes on How to Use Ambition

“Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” — Bill Bradley

“Ambition without action is fantasy.” — Bryant McGill

“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community… Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.” — Cesar Chavez

“Be a warrior when it comes to delivering on your ambitions. And a saint when it comes to treating people with respect, modeling generosity, and showing up with outright love.” — Robin S. Sharma

Let’s Wrap This Up

Becoming ambitious will take you far in life. You will accomplish much more by taking on lofty goals and putting in the work to achieve them than you will by thinking small. 

I hope these quotes have inspired you to become ambitious, use it to set exciting goals, and work hard to achieve amazing things.

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Essay on My Ambition 500+ Words

Ambition is like a spark that ignites the fire within us. It’s that inner drive that propels us to achieve our dreams and reach for the stars. In this essay, we will explore the significance of having ambition in our lives and how it can shape our future.

Ambition Provides Purpose

Having ambition gives our lives purpose and direction. Imagine a ship sailing without a destination; it would wander aimlessly. Similarly, without ambition, we might drift through life without clear goals. Statistics show that individuals with defined ambitions are more likely to succeed in their endeavors. For instance, a study revealed that 90% of accomplished people had strong ambitions.

Ambition Drives Achievement

Ambition is the driving force behind great accomplishments. It pushes us to work hard, set goals, and strive for excellence. Consider the example of Thomas Edison, whose ambition to invent the light bulb led to one of the greatest inventions in history. Experts agree that ambition is a key factor in achieving success. In fact, a survey of successful individuals found that 80% attributed their achievements to ambition.

Fosters Growth

Ambition encourages personal growth and development. When we set ambitious goals, we are motivated to acquire new skills and knowledge. It challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and explore our potential. Psychologists suggest that ambition is closely linked to self-improvement. Studies have shown that people who pursue personal growth through ambition tend to lead more fulfilling lives.

Ambition Overcomes Challenges

Life is full of obstacles and setbacks. However, ambition equips us with the resilience to overcome these challenges. When we face difficulties, our ambition acts as a guiding light, helping us persevere. A famous example is the story of J.K. Rowling, who faced rejection and adversity but never gave up on her ambition to become a successful author.

Ambition Inspires Others

Ambition is not only a personal motivator but also an inspiration to those around us. When others witness our determination and drive, they too are encouraged to set and pursue their own goals. Teachers often emphasize the importance of ambition as a positive influence on society. Ambitious individuals are more likely to give back to their communities and make a difference.

Conclusion of Essay on My Ambition

In conclusion, ambition is the force that fuels our dreams and propels us towards success. It gives our lives purpose, drives our achievements, fosters personal growth, and empowers us to overcome challenges. Ambition is not a distant concept; it’s a quality that each one of us can nurture and harness. So, whether your ambition is to become a doctor, a scientist, an artist, or anything else, know that it has the power to shape your future and lead you to greatness.

As you embark on your journey through life, remember the words of Helen Keller: “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” Let your ambition be your guiding star, and you’ll find that the possibilities are endless. So, dream big, set ambitious goals, and work hard to make your dreams a reality. Your ambition is the key to unlocking the doors of success and leaving a lasting mark on the world.

Also Check: Simple Guide on How To Write An Essay

33 Of The Most Powerful Ambition Quotes For Your Vision Board

Maybe you want to be a Fortune 500 CEO, or maybe an athlete with dreams of making it to the Olympics.  For others, their ambition might be living on a farm and growing their own food, or becoming a stay-at-home mom so they can spend their time with their kids.

Dreams differ from one person to another, but one thing’s for sure, your definition of ambition equals your idea of success.  However, there are times when we lose sight of our dreams, and this is where   vision boards  come in.

Fill your vision board with ambition quotes to help you stay motivated to achieve your very own definition of success.  These quotes, spoken or written by writers, leaders, CEOs, and some of the most successful people in history, can help you focus on your   ambitions , so you can keep going despite shortcomings along the way.

WHAT IS AMBITION AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

According to  Merriam-Webster’s definition of ambition , it is “a desire to reach a particular goal,” and “an eager desire for social standing, fame, or power.”

An additional definition of ambition includes having the desire to achieve these goals, as well as having the willingness to stay committed amidst failure and adversities.

According to psychologist   Carol Dweck , students who have a   growth mindset   are more than likely to achieve higher grade point averages compared to students who have a fixed mindset.  A growth mindset is when you believe in your ability to learn new things.

With ambition comes the belief and confidence that you will achieve your goals, dreams, and desires.  

The great surrealist painter, Salvador Dali, said it best when he said, “Intelligence without ambition is like a bird without wings.”

A study by Times magazine  revealed that 48% of women in their 20s labeled themselves as being “very ambitious.”  And within this number, 50% believe it is not acceptable to not have ambition.

Based on this study, it is safe to say that female professionals see ambition as necessary.  This is because it helps create the   motivation   to improve yourself, as well as gives you the willingness to put in the work to reach your   goals .

If you are about to begin your journey to your ambitions, or you’re planning to, learning from others who have achieved success will help inspire and motivate you to reach your goals.

A vision board is more than just a collage of pictures, you can utilize ambition quotes to fuel your journey with words and phrases that propel you to move forward.

33 OF THE MOST POWERFUL AMBITION QUOTES FOR YOUR VISION BOARD

We believe that learning from others is one of the most effective ways to reach your dreams.  And thus, we’ve gathered 33 powerful ambition quotes from innovators, world leaders, writers, and even celebrities, to help you believe in your dreams, and remind you that you can achieve whatever it is you put your mind to.

Here are 33 of the most powerful ambition quotes for your vision board:

AMBITION QUOTES TO HELP YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR DREAMS

• ”The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”   -Steve Jobs
• ”When your ambition is greater than your fear, your life will get bigger than your dream.” -   Farshad Asl
• ”If the fire in your heart is strong enough, it will burn away any obstacles that come your way.”  - Suzy Kassem
• ”It has been a long journey, but if you dream and have the ambition and want to work hard, then you can achieve.” -   Mo Farah

”If you have a great ambition, take as big a step as possible in the direction of fulfilling it.  The step may only be a tiny one, but trust that it may be the largest one possible for now.” -   Mildred Mcafee

”Ambition leads me not only farther than any other man has been before me but as far as I think it is possible for a man to go.” -   James Cook

”Ambition is the path to success.  Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” -   Bill Bradley

”Don’t be afraid to be ambitious about your goals.  Hard work never stops. Neither should your dreams.” -   Dwayne Johnson

”Ambition beats genius 99% of the time.” -   Jay Leno

• ”Ambition is the epicenter of perseverance through which accomplishments spell success.” -   Byron Pulsifer

AMBITION QUOTES TO GUIDE YOU IN YOUR JOURNEY TO SUCCESS

• ”Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions.  Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you believe that you, too, can become great.” -   Mark Twain
• ”Our ambition should be to rule ourselves, the true kingdom for each one of us; and true progress is to know more, and be more, and to do more.” -   Oscar Wilde
• ”The man who starts out simply with the idea of getting rich won’t succeed, you must have a larger ambition.” -   John D. Rockefeller
• ”Motivation and ambition either come from fear or love, it’s up to you to choose.” -   Kevin Kerr
• ”Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition.  It asks too little of yourself.  Because it’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential.” -   Barack Obama
• ”We can each define ambition and progress for ourselves.  The goal is to work toward a world where expectations are not set by the stereotypes that hold us back, but by our personal passion, talents, and interests.” -   Sheryl Sandberg
• ”Ambitions reveal direction.” -   Mace Windu
• ”Character cannot be developed with ease and quiet.  Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”  -   Helen Keller
• ”Ambition is not what a man would do, but what a man does, for ambition without action is fantasy.” -   Bryant McGill
• ”A garden requires patient labor and attention.  Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions.  They thrive because someone expends effort on them.” -   Liberty Hyde Bailey
• ”Surround yourself with people who believe in your dreams, encourage your ideas, support your ambitions, and bring out the best in you.” -   Roy T. Bennett
• ”The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious.  The desire to reach hearts is wise.” -   Maya Angelou
• ”There is one weakness in people for which there is no remedy.  It is the universal weakness of lack of ambition.”  -   Napoleon Hill
• ”You can realize your full possibilities, but to dominate and achieve you must have high aims, ideals, and ambitions - all linked to an iron will.” -   W.D. Wattles

GENERAL AFFIRMATION QUOTES FOR YOUR VISION BOARD

• ”Ambition is enthusiasm with a purpose.” -   Frank Tyger 
• ”Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine.” -   Elvis Presley  
• ”A young man without ambition is an old man waiting to be.” -   Steven Brust 
• ”Ambition is like love, impatient both of delays and rivals.” -   Sir John Denham
• ”Ambition is more than mere desire.  It is desire plus incentive - determination - will to achieve the desire.” -   Herbert Armstrong
• ”A dream without ambition is like a car without gas - you’re not going anywhere.” -   Sean Hampton
• ”Ambition without action is fantasy.” -   Bryant McGill
• ”The heart is the epicenter of everything as it is where dreams, hopes, and ambitions are born.” -   Cess Gichuhi
• ”Ambition is a lust that is never quenched, but grows more inflamed and madder by enjoyment.” -   Thomas Otway

PUTTING THESE AMBITION QUOTES TO USE

Choose the quotes that resonate with you deeply, print them out, and mount them on your  vision board.

You can also create your very own digital illustrations of these quotes for a  digital vision board   you can view on any electronic device.  But if you want to make a physical vision board, simply print out these pages, cut the quotes out, and mount them on your board.  

You can also write these quotes down using markers and put them on your ambition vision board.  A physical board is a great way to manifest your ambitions.  It’s a powerful   manifestation   tool that helps you get clear about your goals.

If you want a simpler and faster way to create an ambition vision board, choose complete vision board kits like  The Vision Cloud’s kits  that have everything you need to make one.  The kits are a dream manifestation tool that can help you create an ambition board in minutes.

The Original Vision Board Kit , for example, comes in a large box that includes a board, adhesive strips so you can mount the board on a wall, 100 pictures, 60 motivational words, and 40 stickers to embellish your board.

What makes the kit different from other complete vision board kits is that it has two activity sheets that can help you in your journey to achieve your dreams.  It also has a goal-setting worksheet that makes you more realistic about your goals.

Use the pictures and words that come with the kit, but also add the ambition quotes we have here to fill your board with the motivation and inspiration to help you realize your dreams.

You already have the ambition, and that means you have the confidence you can achieve them.  All you need now is to manifest them.  Start by creating your ambition quote vision board, and start moving your way to your dreams, goals, and wishes.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Personal Statement — Personal Statement Ambition

Personal Statement Ambition

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James Madison: 'Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.'

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.

In his statement, "Ambition must be made to counteract ambition," James Madison encapsulates a profound understanding of human nature and political systems. This quote sums up the underlying principle behind the concept of checks and balances in government. Madison, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and co-author of the Federalist Papers, recognized that the human desire for power and influence can be harnessed for the benefit of society. By pitting the ambitions of individuals and institutions against one another, a delicate equilibrium can be reached, ensuring that no one entity becomes too dominant or tyrannical.The importance of Madison's quote lies in its recognition of the inevitably ambitious nature of individuals in positions of power. Throughout history, we have witnessed countless examples of leaders who have succumbed to the allure of unchecked ambition, leading to dire consequences for their subjects. From ancient tyrants to modern dictators, the thirst for power has often eclipsed any consideration for the people being governed. Madison understood this inherent flaw in human character and proposed a solution to counteract it.But let us delve deeper into the philosophical underpinnings of Madison's quote and examine an unexpected concept that sheds new light on the issue. This concept is known as "enlightened self-interest." At first glance, it may seem contradictory to the idea of counteracting ambition with ambition. However, upon further exploration, the two concepts are more intertwined than they appear.Enlightened self-interest proposes that individuals, acting in their own best interest, can also act in the best interest of society as a whole. It acknowledges that, while human beings are driven by self-preservation and ambition, this self-interest can be aligned with the greater good. By pursuing their ambitions in a way that benefits society, individuals can simultaneously satisfy their personal desires and contribute to the collective well-being.Returning to Madison's quote, we can now see how ambition can indeed be made to counteract ambition through the lens of enlightened self-interest. Each individual or institution, driven by their own ambitions, seeks to maximize their power and influence. However, within a system of checks and balances, these competing ambitions can serve to neutralize and restrain each other, preventing any one entity from monopolizing power.The beauty of Madison's concept lies in its recognition of the inherent fallibility of human nature while also providing a means to overcome its negative aspects. By acknowledging and embracing ambition, Madison invites us to harness it for the greater good. Through the careful orchestration of power dynamics and the deliberate dispersion of authority, the ambitions of individuals can be channeled towards the common good, rather than leading to tyranny or exploitation.In practice, this idea is embodied in the division of powers within democratic systems, where legislative, executive, and judicial branches are deliberately designed to counterbalance each other. This arrangement ensures that no single branch can become too dominant or act with impunity, ultimately safeguarding the interests of the people.Madison's quote, "Ambition must be made to counteract ambition," serves as a timeless reminder of the need for checks and balances in any organization or political system. By embracing enlightened self-interest and recognizing the inherent ambition in human nature, we can create structures that not only preserve personal freedom but also promote the collective welfare. In a world where unchecked ambition can lead to chaos and oppression, Madison's words offer us guidance and inspire us to strive for a more balanced and just society.

James Madison: 'Let me recommend the best medicine in the world: a long journey, at a mild season, through a pleasant country, in easy stages.'

James madison: 'in republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority.'.

William Shakespeare

Ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Macbeth is a play about ambition run amok. The weird sisters ' prophecies spur both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to try to fulfill their ambitions, but the witches never make Macbeth or his wife do anything. Macbeth and his wife act on their own to fulfill their deepest desires. Macbeth, a good general and, by all accounts before the action of the play, a good man, allows his ambition to overwhelm him and becomes a murdering, paranoid maniac. Lady Macbeth, once she begins to put into actions the once-hidden thoughts of her mind, is crushed by guilt.

Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth want to be great and powerful, and sacrifice their morals to achieve that goal. By contrasting these two characters with others in the play, such as Banquo , Duncan , and Macduff , who also want to be great leaders but refuse to allow ambition to come before honor, Macbeth shows how naked ambition, freed from any sort of moral or social conscience, ultimately takes over every other characteristic of a person. Unchecked ambition, Macbeth suggests, can never be fulfilled, and therefore quickly grows into a monster that will destroy anyone who gives into it.

Ambition ThemeTracker

Ambition Quotes in Macbeth

Macbeth Ambition Quotes

Macbeth is a play steeped with the theme of ambition, and as such there are plenty of Macbeth ambition quotes to choose from. On this page, we run through the most significant quotes from Macbeth about ambition, each with an explanation giving some context.

When Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three witches, they are told a number of prophecies, including that Macbeth will one day be made King of Scotland and that Banquo’s children will sit on the king’s throne. They are both initially skeptical about the prophecies, but Macbeth is intrigued by the prospect of becoming the most powerful man in Scotland. He wonders how it might occur, and foresees undertaking an evil deed to get there:

“My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man that function Is smother’d in surmise.” (Act 1, Scene 3)

It is clear that the witches’ words have stirred some ambition in Macbeth. He asks them to reveal more to him of how he will ascend to power but they disappear without telling him, leaving him in a state of suspense. He realizes his path to the crown will likely require violence, but shows that he is uncomfortable with the evil thoughts that are starting to fill his head:

“Why do I yield to that suggestion Whose horrid images doth unfix my hair, And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, Against the use of nature?” (Act 1, Scene 3)

When Macbeth realizes that one of the witches’ prophesies has come true (he has become ‘Thane of Cawdor’, a title of Scottish nobility) he immediately begins to wonder whether it could be true that he will become king.  The eagerness with which he speaks these words suggest his ambition is front of mind, even though he understands he will need to commit a heinous, violent act in order to become king – thoughts which at this point he seems to refuse to consider acting upon:

“Two truths are told As happy prologues to the swelling act Of th’imperial theme” (Act 1, Scene 3)

Macbeth goes on to describes his wish to become king as ‘black and deep desires’, which suggests he is struggling with the acts he will need to undertake to fulfill his ambition:

“The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step On which I must fall down, or else o’erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires. The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.” (Act 1, Scene 4)

The events of Act 1, Scene 5, display the ambition of both Macbeth and his wife. Lady Macbeth reflects on her husband’s character and acknowledges that he may have ambitious dreams and could be king, but thinks that he is too gentle and not willing to display the ruthless behaviour to make those dreams come true.

She seems to understand her husband well and displays her own philosophy of power, where only those who are able to set aside morality can rise to greatness. When she receives Macbeth’s letter and learns about the witches’ prophecy she says:

“Yet do I fear thy nature It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it.” (Act 1, Scene 5)

In the same soliloquy she continues to display her own ambition, wishing he would come home right away so she can use her power to influence over him to act in a way that will satisfy their mutual ambition:

“Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear And chastise with the valor of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round.” (Act 1, Scene 5)

By the end of the first act, Macbeth’s moral fabric is overridden by the lust for power even though he starts to doubt his plan to murder Duncan. He uses a metaphor about a horse rider unable to use his spurs to make his horse go faster, but who uses ambition to leap an obstacle and ends up falling.

This quote on Macbeth’s ambition gets to the tension between Macbeth’s unwillingness to continue with his plan to murder Duncan and his understanding that his ambition is leading him to dangerous places:

“I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself And falls on th’other” (Act 1, Scene 5)

Ross predicts that ambition will be to blame for Duncan’s murder as Macbeth is unable to conceal his plan to become king. However, Ross believes it will be Duncan’s children that go against nature and kill their father. As it’s Macbeth that kills Duncan, is this against nature too, or his Macbeth’s ambition all too natural?

“‘Gainst nature still! Thriftless ambition, that will ravin up Thine own lives’ means! Then ‘tis most like The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.” (Act 2, Scene 4)

Once the deed is done and Macbeth is king, he continues to feel insecure and restless. Paranoia starts to creep in that he may lose his position, and he is frustrated he has no heir. There is no meaning to being king if his lineage will not continue after him. This quote shows that by giving in to his ambition and murdering Duncan he has not achieved what he wanted, but that more violent acts must follow:

“To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus” (Act 3, Scene 1)

In case it was in any doubt, in this Macbeth ambition quote he explicitly states that all of his violent actions are for his own good:

“For mine own good All causes shall give way. I am in blood Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o’er.” (Act 3, Scene 4)

Shakespeare reveals at the end of the play that unbridled ambition leads to no good for the protagonist or those around him. Lady Macbeth commits suicide and Macbeth is depressed and surrounded by an army ready to overthrow him.

In this famous soliloquy, Macbeth vocalizing that he understands all his efforts were pointless. His wife is dead, he is about to die, and Malcolm is going to be king. He laments:

“Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow Creeps in this petty pace from day to day To the last syllable of recorded time And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty deaths. Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.” (Act 5, Scene 5)

Shakespeare’s final take on ambition in Macbeth shows how it can be harnessed properly. Macduff plans to avenge his family and his king but doesn’t seek any power himself:

“Either thou, Macbeth, Or else my sword, with an unbattered edge, I sheathe again undeeded. There thou shouldst be; By this great clatter, one of greatest note Seems bruited. Let me find him, Fortune, And more I beg not. “ (Act 5, Scene 6)

Read Mabeth quotes in modern English :

• Is this a dagger which I see before me?
• If it were done when ’tis done
• The raven himself is hoarse
• Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow

Shakespeare Quotes by Play

Hamlet Quotes | Henry V Quotes | Julius Caesar Quotes | King Lear Quotes | Macbeth Quotes | A Midsummer Night’s Dream Quotes | Much Ado About Nothing Quotes | Othello Quotes | Romeo and Juliet Quotes | The Tempest Quotes | Twelfth Night Quotes

See All Macbeth Resources

Macbeth | Macbeth summary | Macbeth characters : Banquo , Lady Macbeth , Macbeth , Macduff , Three Witches | Macbeth settings | Modern Macbeth translation  | Macbeth full text | Macbeth PDF  |  Modern Macbeth ebook | Macbeth for kids ebooks | Macbeth quotes | Macbeth ambition quotes |  Macbeth quote translations | Macbeth monologues | Macbeth soliloquies | Macbeth movies | Macbeth themes

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I quit my job with nothing else lined up and in a terrible job market — but I have no regrets.

• Basant Shenouda, 27, is one of LinkedIn's biggest career content creators.
• She once quit a toxic job after less than a year in a tough market and with nothing else lined up. 
• The experience taught her to continuously look for better job opportunities and work-life balance.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Basant Shenouda, a 27-year-old implementation consultant at LinkedIn from Dublin. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I'm a Gen-Zer and one of LinkedIn's biggest career content creators . I create content on topics like job hunting, promotions, and skill development, and I onboard LinkedIn's biggest clients as a technical project manager.

But before I got this role, I had to maneuver my career and leave some toxic jobs and work environments. One particular job made me incredibly depressed — I realized it wasn't a good fit for me in the first two to three weeks, and I quit in less than a year.

I actually wish I'd prioritized myself and left sooner.

The management style made the job difficult

At the beginning of my career journey, I tried many different things. I was trying to learn about the different industries but also find what I was good at and what I liked. I especially liked working at technology and lifestyle companies, as I found their marketing and sales strategies really interesting.

One job was particularly hard because of the management style . I was expected to work constantly from 9 to 5 in the office without breaks, with management overworking me and still thinking I wasn't productive enough. I didn't feel like management cared about my career development or well-being.

I wanted to be able to work on impactful projects, and I especially sought mentorship and support toward my career aspirations. I was still figuring out what that meant, but I had a lot of ambition to prove myself. It was important to me not only to have a workload that I felt supported through but also the space to be able to voice my concerns, ideas, and workload issues.

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Unfortunately, it felt like the only thing that was important to the company was completing our deliverables as quickly and mechanically as possible without making any mistakes. Because of the immense workload, I was prone to making mistakes , which my managers never took well at all.

I decided to quit less than a year into the role to protect my mental and physical health and well-being

My work schedule meant constantly working with a short lunch break and being expected to work late to complete all my tasks. I didn't have time for a social life and was even too tired to try.

Ultimately, I quit after less than a year without any job lined up. I wanted to take care of myself. The toxic work environment had really impacted my self-esteem toward my career capabilities.

I was an international graduate on a short-term visa who needed a job to stay in-country, so deciding to leave added a lot of stress in a different way. But I knew I was still better off leaving and focusing on myself.

After I quit, I took a period of self-care

After I left the job, I spent time ensuring I was returning to my health basics, like eating well and spending time with my loved ones. I took a six-month break to focus on myself and some personal projects.

During this period of self-care , I started my venture to coach other Gen-Zers. My career consulting focuses on my experience as an international student and woman of color and how I've navigated work visa processes and gotten into Big Tech. 

Working for myself toward my career ambitions really helped boost my mental health and confidence again.

Here's what I recommend to others who are stuck in jobs with poor work-life balance

Timing is incredibly important. I left my problematic job during a bad job market, which greatly stressed me. Mental health is beyond important, but it's also important to have a sense of financial security during these tough times. I recommend always assessing the risks of leaving a position — especially if you don't have a backup plan.

I also recommend that workers continuously look toward future job opportunities and look at their careers as a staircase. You'll never get from point A to point B in a straight line.

Sometimes you just have to take things step by step and take on projects for your next role that'll bring you a better work-life balance.

Watch: Marketing leaders from Amazon, LinkedIn, Lego Group and more tell Insider what pandemic-fueled business changes are likely to stick around

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How a ‘Nerdy’ Prosecutor Became the First to Try Trump

Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan D.A., campaigned as the best candidate to go after the former president. Now he finds himself leading Trump’s first prosecution — and perhaps the only one before the November election.

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By Kim Barker ,  Jonah E. Bromwich and Michael Rothfeld

Kim Barker, Jonah E. Bromwich and Michael Rothfeld interviewed more than 70 of Alvin Bragg’s friends and colleagues and legal and political experts for this article. Rothfeld and Bromwich have written extensively about the case against Trump; Barker, an investigations reporter, examined Bragg’s legal record.

• Published April 9, 2024 Updated April 15, 2024

Reporters vied for seats in the briefing room, some even crouching on the floor. They all knew, on this Tuesday in early April 2023, that Alvin L. Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, was about to announce something momentous: the first criminal charges against a former American president.

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Yet when Bragg walked quietly onto the stage, it took a second or two for the audience to realize he was there. In his dark blue suit and dark-rimmed glasses, he blended into the dark blue curtains behind the lectern. He took out his notes and thanked everyone for coming. He was flanked by poster boards with flow charts, but that was as far as the showmanship went.

The accusations he went on to level against Donald J. Trump were salacious, involving money paid to a porn star just before the 2016 presidential election so she would remain silent about her claim that they had sex a decade before. But Bragg studiously avoided mentioning sex or hush money during the 13-minute event, focusing instead on 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up the payment. Bragg looked frequently at his notes while he spoke, mostly in a monotone. He seemed unprepared (or unwilling) to answer the most obvious questions: why he had abandoned a different case, about whether Trump had falsified the valuations of properties, or why he thought he could make these new charges stick.

Bragg displayed passion only once, in response to a question about why he brought a hush-money case after his predecessor and federal prosecutors had not.

“This is the business capital of the world,” Bragg said, his voice rising. “We regularly do cases involving false business statements. The bedrock — in fact, the basis for business integrity and a well-functioning business marketplace — is true and accurate record-keeping. That’s the charge that’s brought here, falsifying New York State business records.”

True and accurate record-keeping. It’s hardly the stuff of history books. But a year later, it is this paperwork case — not the three other indictments that have dominated the news, involving accusations of trying to overturn a presidential election and mishandling highly classified documents — that will in the coming days make history as Trump’s first criminal trial, and perhaps the only one before the election in November.

Hardly anyone figured that it would play out this way. Bragg himself had said that “broader justice may warrant another case going first.” Yet with those other cases mired in legal skirmishing and delay, it is Bragg, a Harvard-trained prosecutor who has often appeared to be a most uncomfortable, un-media-savvy public figure, who will now face off against the reality-television star turned Republican former president, master of spin, media-ready insult and creation of his own narrative.

Bragg’s legal argument is complicated, but it stems from a simple episode: In the days before the 2016 election, Trump’s personal attorney and fixer, Michael D. Cohen, paid $130,000 in hush money to the adult-film star Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors argue that Trump, who denies that he had sex with Daniels, then lied on 34 business records — 12 ledger entries, 11 invoices and 11 checks — to disguise his repayment of Cohen as legal fees.

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On its own, falsifying those documents would be misdemeanors, relatively minor crimes. Bragg elevated each of the charges to felonies by arguing that they were committed to hide or further another crime — which, in an unusual move, he did not charge. He said he wasn’t required to specify that crime, but added that it might have been a violation of state or federal election law. What may further complicate the case is that it relies heavily on testimony from Cohen, a disbarred lawyer who served prison time after pleading guilty to violating campaign-finance laws, evading taxes, making false statements to a bank and lying to Congress.

After the indictment, a chorus of critics — some but not all on the right — questioned the legal reasoning, wisdom and winnability of the hush-money case. Today, many experts believe that Bragg’s legal strategy looks considerably stronger, validated by a federal judge who rebuffed Trump’s effort to delay or even kill the case by having it moved to federal court, and by the Manhattan judge presiding over the case, who in February officially greenlit Bragg’s premise by setting a trial date.

None of which means the case has ceased to be controversial. The furor lives on, primarily in the political space. Trump and his allies have branded the case a witch hunt, a selective prosecution brought by a Democratic district attorney in the pocket of George Soros, boogeyman of the right. Many Democrats, in turn, worry that Trump’s narrative of persecution is only fueling his presidential campaign, especially because this case of sexual peccadillo and faked paperwork might look frivolous next to his three other indictments, which cut closer to his presidency and the foundations of American democracy.

“We’re all kind of like, ‘I can’t believe Alvin is at the center of this,’” says Erin E. Murphy, a New York University law professor who is part of Bragg’s close-knit friend group from law school and was one of more than 70 friends, colleagues and legal and political experts interviewed for this article. She adds: “He’s just so not political. He’s like, not a hyperpartisan political person in any way, shape or form. So there’s just this dissonance.”

Certainly, Bragg, who is 50, has never seemed to concern himself much with appearances. His friends have long joked about his wearing rumpled suits or a Boy Scout outfit on a date. If he could have applied for this job instead of campaigning for it, they say, he would have. That’s what he did when he became a federal prosecutor and then a deputy New York attorney general, each move a step forward in a life devoted to a careful, verging on nerdy, practice of the law; to the commitment to service — a word he has often used — that his parents instilled in him when he was growing up on Strivers’ Row in Harlem.

Bragg himself has seemed almost sheepish about the Trump case, preferring to talk about tackling wage theft or creating a jail-diversion program. Just after he announced the indictment last spring, his office sent out its regular roundup of big cases. It listed the Trump indictment not first, not even second, but third — after the convictions of two killers. The office’s 2023 highlights list didn’t even mention Trump. Bragg declined to comment for this article, concerned about being accused of unethical behavior before the trial.

Yet if Bragg the district attorney has been largely quiet about the former president, a look back through his record shows that hasn’t always been the case. Bragg the candidate, in fact, was more than willing to talk up his legal bona fides in the matter of Trump. Bragg may lack the polish and presentation of a politician. His friends may insist that he’s not a politician. But for all his lawyerly reticence, inside his sometimes-ill-fitting suits is a man of unmistakable ambition who has hitched his aspirations to the pursuit of Donald J. Trump.

Bragg’s emergence as a public critic of Trump came at a time when he was relatively unknown outside New York legal and Harvard-alumni circles. And it came in an unusual venue: a video, posted in May 2019 by the progressive news outlet NowThis and hosted by the flamboyantly public Trump hater Robert De Niro. In the video, Bragg and 10 other former federal prosecutors said they believed that Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election had uncovered more than enough evidence to indict Trump. “This isn’t even a close case,” Bragg said.

Bragg was on a break from public service, teaching at New York Law School. But he was also just weeks from announcing his next move: his candidacy for Manhattan district attorney in an election still two years away.

The incumbent district attorney, Cyrus Vance Jr., had begun his own investigation of the president and his businesses. And even before Vance announced in March 2021 that he would not seek re-election, the race had become a referendum on who could best take on Trump. In a primary campaign of would-be Trump slayers, Bragg sold himself as the most experienced.

He talked about supervising the state investigation into the Trump Foundation as chief deputy attorney general in 2017 — a case that led to the charity’s closure. He said he knew how to prosecute fraud in the valuation of properties, one strand of Vance’s Trump investigation. Referring to Trump’s “criminal policies,” Bragg added, “He has embraced white nationalism, misconstrued data and engaged in cronyism, and the result has been a parade of horribles.” Bragg told The Wall Street Journal that he “certainly” had more experience with Trump “than most people in the world.” A rival Democrat’s spokeswoman complained that Bragg attacked Trump “for political advantage every chance he gets.”

Bragg also used Trump to contrast himself with Vance. The district attorney, he argued, had appeared soft on the rich and powerful, declining to prosecute two of Trump’s children several years earlier on accusations that they misled potential buyers in the struggling Trump SoHo condo-hotel. Vance had also met with one of Trump’s lawyers, Marc Kasowitz, and accepted his $32,000 campaign contribution just months after rejecting the Trump SoHo case. (Vance later returned the money.)

For Bragg, this was a break with lawyerly protocol — to be talking about a potential case before seeing all the facts, at the risk of appearing biased. Yet in this election cycle, and especially with Trump newly vulnerable after his 2020 loss, holding him to account seemed vital to being elected in Manhattan.

Bragg’s campaign was hardly all Trump. He also championed the sort of criminal-justice-reform issues — for example, ending long prison sentences for low-level street crimes — that had helped progressive prosecutors sweep into office nationwide. But he seemed to double down on Trump as the campaign went on, simplifying and exaggerating his record. “It is a fact that I have sued Trump over 100 times,” Bragg told The New York Times in April 2021, an often-repeated claim that would be published everywhere from CNN to the BBC. “I can’t change that fact, nor would I. That was important work.” Asked recently for documentation, a campaign spokesman, Richard Fife, sent links to more than 100 news releases. A review of these and court filings found 30 cases in which the New York attorney general’s office had sued Trump or his federal agencies during Bragg’s time there — nearly always alongside other states. (The office also joined 12 other ongoing lawsuits against the Trump administration, the analysis found.) As a top aide to the attorney general, Bragg could have supervised those cases, but taking personal credit seems a bit of a stretch.

The district attorney’s office referred questions about the lawsuits to Fife, who said Bragg’s comments were not written but made “in conversation.” (Bragg, in fact, did repeat the statement in a written candidate questionnaire.) “I will concede,” Fife said, “that our use of the word ‘suit’ isn’t as limited as your definition.”

In heavily Democratic Manhattan, primaries typically function as general elections. On Primary Day in June 2021, Bragg said on Twitter: “As Chief Deputy Attorney General of NY State, I oversaw a staff of 1200+ people delivering progressive change. I led the investigation into stop and frisk. I didn’t just sue Donald Trump and the Trump Foundation — I won.”

On Nov. 2, 2021, the night he trounced his Republican opponent, Bragg moved to the microphone at Harlem Tavern as supporters chanted: “Alvin! Alvin! Alvin!” His first public remarks were hardly memorable.

“Somewhere deep down inside, I think I always wanted a bar mitzvah,” said Bragg, who had long taught Sunday school at the nearby Abyssinian Baptist Church. “This is new for me, newly elected — I think I can say that now, right?” he asked the crowd, starting his speech. Then he paused, practically giddy, to interrupt himself: “Look, this is phenomenal.”

Bragg’s remarks made it clear that he saw his election as Manhattan’s first Black district attorney as the natural next chapter in the annals of his life. Walking to the tavern on Frederick Douglass Boulevard, Bragg told his supporters, his mind flipped back through a personal journey that began along this stretch of what neighborhood old-timers like himself still called Eighth Avenue: being dropped off at grade school by his parents; eventually taking the M10 bus there on his own; facing guns pointed at him by the police; graduating from high school. But that was not all. Bragg had one more memory to share.

“I had my first date with Jamila Ponton Bragg on 139th Street and Eighth Avenue,” he said. “And I was wearing a Boy Scout uniform, because I had just come from leading a troop at Abyssinian Baptist Church, and she still ate with me, and she married me!”

Bragg’s parents, Alvin Sr. and Sadie, raised him to move seamlessly between worlds. They attended church at Abyssinian, a stronghold of Black social-justice activism. But they also enrolled their only child as a kindergartner at the Trinity School, one of the city’s most exclusive private academies. Bragg, one of a handful of Black students, became the center of a tight-knit group of Trinity kids, friends who are still in his inner circle. “We always called him the mayor,” recalls John Scott, who met Bragg in middle school. “He was like the most gregarious and outgoing and charismatic guy, even back then.”

In a Trinity yearbook entry, Bragg quoted Aristotle, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the music producer Quincy Jones — and himself: “You and I are like two stalks of corn in a field of love … waiting for the harvest.” (It was apparently an inside joke.)

Asked by a journalist during the campaign if he was nerdy, Bragg said: “I think yes and no. I think nerdiness is a little bit context-based.” He paused and added: “I think in any broad sense, yes.” The Rev. Al Sharpton, who supported Bragg’s campaign and praised his indictment of Trump, described him this way: “He’s not the larger-than-life swagger figure of Harlem. He is the result of what those generations produced: a competent, efficient guy.”

Growing up, Bragg’s friends say, he didn’t make a big fuss about the three times he remembered the police pulling guns on him on the Harlem streets. Once, several police cars converged on a taxi carrying Bragg and four Black friends; the officers, guns drawn, ordered everyone out. They told them they “fit the description” of some boys who had just committed a crime nearby, then held them for a few minutes before letting them go, recalls Roald Richards, one of the friends. (During the campaign, whenever Bragg brought up his encounters with the police, he would also mention the three times criminals pulled guns on him or would praise the police for keeping the streets safe.)

Yet if Bragg swallowed those experiences as a teenager, he has also described them as fuel for his ambition. He was elected president of his high school senior class; his yearbook described an imaginary 20-year reunion in which Bragg was president of the United States. While he was at college, The Harvard Crimson highlighted his ability as president of the Black Students Association to defuse tension between warring student groups. The headline: “The Anointed One.” Bragg’s role: “Conciliator.” He became such good friends with Republicans that, years later, one would actually donate money to his campaign — despite the fact that said Republican, Harry Wilson, would later run for governor of New York. At Harvard Law School, Bragg joined the team that won the prestigious moot-court competition. Even that makes his path seem preordained: It was the Archibald Cox team, named for the Watergate prosecutor who investigated President Richard M. Nixon.

Bragg started out as a lawyer in private practice representing, among other clients, Native American tribal members who said they had been abused by the police. But he soon became a prosecutor at the state attorney general’s office, explaining later that he felt he could make more of a difference from the inside. After three years, he left to become a lawyer at the New York City Council. Three years after that, he joined the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan. After four years there, he returned for a second tour at the attorney general’s office. It became a pattern: Bragg never stayed long enough to build a deep record. He seemed in a rush to get somewhere.

But in offices where head-down self-advancement was the norm, Bragg amassed friends and allies. It’s all but impossible to find anyone who worked with him who has a negative thing to say. He walked around, often slightly disheveled, messenger bag dangling and tie askew, smiled big and asked, “How are you?” Several colleagues recalled being struck by how deliberately he tested the strengths and weaknesses of evidence. “In every regard, he was one of the smartest people I’ve ever met, and meticulous,” says Joshua Gradinger, who worked under Bragg in the attorney general’s office. “I say that over and over again — meticulous.”

But as Bragg prepared to take office in 2022, a conflict was brewing: between his careful approach to the law and the promises he made during his political campaign.

Within days of becoming district attorney, Bragg announced his top policy priorities. From the recesses of his campaign website, he pulled a criminal-justice-reform manifesto outlining crimes that would no longer be prosecuted, including marijuana possession, trespassing and sex work. The Day 1 Memo, as it was called, also signaled that illegal gun possession would not mean jail time unless the gun was used in a violent crime.

The timing was less than ideal. During the pandemic, murders and shootings rose, and many New Yorkers seemed to believe that things were spiraling out of control. “Happy 2022, Criminals!” The New York Post blared, referring to Bragg as the “woke new Manhattan DA.”

Bragg’s ideas weren’t exactly radical. But his execution — announcing them as one of his first acts, in the biggest job of his life, without anticipating the backlash — made him look like a rookie, like someone who didn’t seem to fully grasp that he would be upsetting some of the very people he needed to do his job. The police commissioner rebuked him; police unions condemned him. Preet Bharara, a former U.S. attorney who had hired Bragg and then campaigned for him, was disappointed and frustrated by what he saw as an astonishingly clumsy rollout, according to people familiar with his thinking.

Bragg had another hangover from the campaign: the case of Tracy McCarter, a nurse accused of killing her husband. Vance had charged McCarter with second-degree murder in September 2020, even though she claimed self-defense and domestic abuse. Activists on social media had defended her. Bragg had weighed in. “I #StandWithTracy,” he tweeted on the day she was charged, using the hashtag pushed by McCarter’s backers. “Prosecuting a domestic violence survivor who acted in self-defense is unjust.”

Now, invested with the powers of the district attorney, Bragg had to decide whether he would indeed stand with McCarter. Pressing him to do so was a progressive group, Color of Change, whose political-action committee had endorsed him and pledged to spend more than $1 million supporting his campaign. It ultimately spent about $425,000, money that helped Bragg overcome his closest opponent’s last-minute rush of cash. (That financial link would become Republican ammunition: Within days of its Bragg endorsement, Color of Change received a $1 million donation from George Soros, the billionaire patron of liberal causes. After the Trump indictment, the former president and his allies pointed to it as evidence that Bragg was under Soros’s control.)

In November 2022, Bragg went into court himself — unusual for a sitting district attorney — to ask the judge to dismiss the McCarter case. “I understand the gravity of this decision,” he said, before lapsing into a jumble of legalese. Several days later, the judge, Diane Kiesel, dismissed the case but excoriated Bragg for what she called legal errors and potentially politically motivated decisions. The case, she wrote, “has reached the point where the public could perceive this dismissal as bought and paid for with campaign contributions and political capital.”

But in some ways, Bragg had started to get his footing, delivering on some of his campaign promises to take on the powerful and help the less fortunate. He prosecuted hate crimes against Asian Americans, exonerated a sixth defendant in the 1989 Central Park jogger case and pursued significantly fewer lower-level crimes than Vance had. He charged Stephen K. Bannon, Trump’s former political strategist, with money laundering and conspiracy for his role in a charity that skimmed from donations for a border wall, a case that has yet to go to trial. Bragg would also obtain indictments of two men with ties to a fellow Democrat, Mayor Eric Adams.

Still, Bragg seemed to be trying to thread the needle, looking for compromise as he had throughout his career. While he stopped demanding bail as often as Vance had, those decisions were often dictated by state bail reforms. His office also filed about 3,800 violent-felony cases in 2022, the most in 10 years, even as shootings and murders dropped, allowing Bragg to claim that his policies were working. But none of this would stop conservatives from grumbling that Bragg was a left-wing coddler of violent criminals, as a Republican prosecutor in Arizona would later do when she refused to extradite a murder suspect to New York.

By the end of his first year in office, Bragg had turned a corner. He had just won his biggest victory: convicting Trump’s company of tax fraud. Vance had filed the charges, but Bragg delivered on them. And finally, he was finding the way forward with Trump himself.

For more than two years, Cyrus Vance’s prosecutors had hunted for a winnable case against Trump. But while it wasn’t hard to find legally questionable behavior across Trump’s business empire, each possible case had a flaw.

The lawyers were intrigued by the hush-money case. Mark Pomerantz, a former federal prosecutor Vance had pulled out of retirement to pursue Trump, was among those who called it “the zombie case,” because it was alive, then dead, then alive again. Pomerantz thought the hush-money facts seemed incriminating, easy to explain to a jury. But he worried about persuading a judge that the misdemeanor charges of falsifying business records — for disguising the hush-money repayment as legal fees — could be elevated to felonies.

Pomerantz, who had led the criminal division in the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan, was drawn to another option: Trump’s exaggerations of his net worth on financial statements submitted to banks. Trump wasn’t just boasting, Pomerantz argued. He was committing crimes.

Weeks before his term ended in December 2021, Vance brought together a group of experienced lawyers to evaluate the net-worth case. The group included two prosecutors who worked on the Mueller investigation, but it did not include the incoming district attorney; Bragg was not even told about the meeting. Regardless, Vance emerged with a plan. He would push ahead.

When Bragg took office that January, he needed to decide quickly whether to sign on to the case; prosecutors were already presenting evidence to a grand jury. But quickly wasn’t in Bragg’s nature. By month’s end, a frustrated Pomerantz sent Bragg an email that he would later write was “blunt, perhaps too blunt.” He told the new district attorney that he needed to “respect our judgment,” noted that it was “virtually impossible” to meet with him about the Trump case and scolded Bragg, who was two decades younger, for looking at his phone during one of their few meetings. Pomerantz later wrote that he had wondered if Bragg “was in over his head.”

But Bragg remained skeptical, according to people familiar with his thinking. He believed that there was no evidence tying Trump directly to a financial fraud; without it, he worried, he would not be able to prove Trump’s criminal intent. And prosecutors wanted a tour guide — a cooperating witness who knew the ins and outs of the crime. Michael Cohen was extremely willing, having broken with Trump, but he lacked intimate knowledge of the Trump Organization’s finances.

There were more meetings, more emails — but Bragg refused to bring the case on Pomerantz’s timeline. So in late February, Pomerantz and another lead prosecutor on the case quit — in spectacular fashion. Pomerantz’s resignation letter described Bragg’s decision as “a grave failure of justice.” He then wrote a book called “People vs. Donald Trump” that might as well have been called “Pomerantz vs. Bragg.” Pomerantz wrote that the investigation turned into “the legal equivalent of a plane crash” and accused Bragg of “pilot error.”

Bragg, for his part, said little — even when Pomerantz’s resignation letter became public, even when many of his liberal supporters complained that he had dropped the ball on Trump and even when critics lumped this decision together with the Day 1 Memo as some kind of proof that he wasn’t up to the job. For all of Bragg’s campaign rhetoric, those who know him insisted that he would never have indicted Trump without reviewing every piece of evidence. Plus, Bragg did not feel bound by Vance’s view of the case — he was the district attorney now.

“He doesn’t get the luxury of saying, ‘Well, Cy Vance said it’s OK,’” says Kim Foxx, a Bragg friend who is the state’s attorney in Chicago. “His name is on the door. His face is on the wall. He owes it to the case. He owes it to the potential defendant to do his due diligence.”

To the world, it might have looked as if the Trump case were dead. Bragg was no longer talking about Trump publicly. But he and three top aides had begun meeting regularly on the eighth floor of the district attorney’s office, going back through all the documents from the net-worth case. The Trump Organization’s chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, had already been indicted in the tax-fraud case; now he might be persuaded to plead guilty and cooperate against Trump in this one. And he might, perhaps, become a witness about another matter: the hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels.

Bragg kept returning to that payment. This case had a far cleaner narrative than the net-worth case, with clear evidence of Trump’s involvement; he had personally signed nine checks repaying Cohen. And Cohen was the perfect tour guide: He had paid Daniels in the first place. By the summer of 2022, Bragg was confident that he could convince a court that these misdemeanors should be elevated to felonies. He added prosecutors to the Trump team. The “zombie case” was alive.

A payoff to a porn star might seem like a trivial matter on which to hinge a historic prosecution of a man who later tried to overturn an election. But in late February, the Supreme Court further delayed the federal prosecution of Trump on charges of plotting to do just that, agreeing to decide whether he has immunity for acts taken as president. Trial dates for the other two cases — the federal classified-documents case in Florida and the state election-interference case in Georgia — seem at best months away.

So the hush-money case it is. Some legal experts initially deemed it shaky, largely because Bragg failed to specify the underlying crime that Trump intended to commit. Though the crime of falsifying business records is nominally a misdemeanor, the Manhattan district attorney’s office almost always charges it as a felony. Still, the Trump case stands apart. The Times could identify only two other felony cases in Manhattan over the past decade in which defendants were indicted on charges of falsifying business records but no other crime.

In an opinion piece in The Times soon after the Trump indictment, Jed Shugerman, a law professor at Boston University, called the case a “disaster” and a “legal embarrassment.” Some lawyers predicted that it would be kicked up to federal court and buried in delays, largely because it was related to a federal-election campaign. Some wondered how internal records could prove intent to defraud.

But in the following months, Bragg beat back legal challenges. He detailed the crimes that Trump was trying to conceal — violations of state and federal election law and state tax law. When Trump’s lawyers tried to move the case to federal court, the judge there, Alvin K. Hellerstein, rebuffed them, saying that the fact that the alleged fraud happened in a federal election was “not a basis” to move the case. Then the New York judge overseeing the case, Juan M. Merchan, ruled that Bragg’s prosecutors had presented “legally sufficient evidence” for the grand jury to reasonably find that Trump intended to defraud voters and the government. Some initial skeptics have come around, even if they believe that the legal questions surrounding the case will probably re-emerge in appeals.

Accounting for the weight of the moment, Bragg has increasingly cast the case as an attempt to subvert the 2016 presidential election. “The case is not — the core of it’s not — money for sex,” Bragg said in a radio interview in December. “We would say it’s about conspiring to corrupt a presidential election and then lying in New York business records to cover it up.”

Trump heads into the trial after a series of setbacks, both legal and financial. Relying on some of the same evidence that was pursued by Pomerantz, the New York attorney general, Letitia James, recently won a $454 million civil judgment against Trump for fraudulently inflating his net worth. He also owes an $83 million defamation award to the writer E. Jean Carroll. And in his pretrial rulings, Merchan has slapped Trump with a gag order and strictly circumscribed the arguments his lawyers will be allowed to make. Defense lawyers have signaled that their case will most likely focus on attacking Michael Cohen as a serial liar who cannot be trusted and arguing that prosecutors have little evidence of Trump’s intent to commit a crime.

If Trump is convicted, he faces limited personal jeopardy, at least in the near term; any penalty — a maximum of four years in prison — would probably be deferred by his almost-certain appeal. The far-larger questions as the trial and the Trump-Biden rematch converge are about political jeopardy, or political advantage. Republican strategists believe, and some of their Democratic counterparts fret, that an acquittal or a hung jury will energize Trump, while he could more convincingly write off a conviction than with the other cases. “I can’t imagine anything easier to paint as a partisan witch hunt,” says Whit Ayres, a veteran Republican pollster.

Even so, some Democrats argue that wall-to-wall coverage of the trial will remind voters on the fence — like the moderate Republicans Trump needs to win — that he has been accused of having sex with a porn star while his wife cared for their infant son and then covering it up to win a presidential election. “The world’s going to stop for this,” says James Carville, the longtime Democratic strategist. “I mean, the first criminal trial ever of a president? I think if anything, the significance of this event is not yet fully appreciated.”

On the morning of Feb. 15, Bragg was back in the dingy courtroom where Trump was first arraigned. The district attorney, this time wearing a well-fitted gray suit, sat on a hard wooden bench in the second row, behind the team of prosecutors he had assembled. Walkie-talkies crackled, signaling the arrival of the former president. In a dirty hallway crammed with Secret Service agents, Trump spoke to television cameras. He said his lawyers would ask to delay the case — then he walked in, wearing a slightly rumpled navy suit and a screaming red tie.

In the courtroom, an unusually subdued Trump stared at the ceiling, arms at his sides. But once the trial date was set, Bragg didn’t seem to focus on Trump or on discussions about jury selection and trial exhibits. He bent over the judge’s decision declining to dismiss the case, reading it slowly, carefully. After the hearing, he released a brief statement, pronouncing himself “pleased.” Pleased . His spokeswoman confessed later that it was a struggle to get him to say even that.

Susan Beachy and Julie Tate contributed research.

Read by Emily Woo Zeller

Narration produced by Emma Kehlbeck and Krish Seenivasan

Engineered by David Mason

Kim Barker is a Times reporter writing in-depth stories about national issues. More about Kim Barker

Jonah E. Bromwich covers criminal justice in New York, with a focus on the Manhattan district attorney’s office and state criminal courts in Manhattan. More about Jonah E. Bromwich

Michael Rothfeld is an investigative reporter in New York, writing in-depth stories focused on the city’s government, business and personalities. More about Michael Rothfeld

Our Coverage of the Trump Hush-Money Trial

News and Analysis

The daunting work of selecting a jury for the trial rapidly gained momentum as seven New Yorkers were picked  to sit in judgment of Donald Trump, accelerating a crucial phase of the case that many had expected to be a slog.

The beginning of Trump’s trial drew intense security, smothering media coverage and loud demonstrations to a dingy Manhattan courthouse that will be the unlikely center of American politics for six weeks .

Melania Trump has long referred to the case as her husband’s problem, not hers. But she has privately called the trial a “disgrace”  that could threaten his campaign.

More on Trump’s Legal Troubles

Key Inquiries: Trump faces several investigations  at both the state and the federal levels, into matters related to his business and political careers.

Case Tracker:  Keep track of the developments in the criminal cases  involving the former president.

What if Trump Is Convicted?: Will any of the proceedings hinder Trump’s presidential campaign? Here is what we know, and what we don’t know .

Trump on Trial Newsletter: Sign up here  to get the latest news and analysis  on the cases in New York, Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C.

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