Quotes About Ambition

I find that, once you get into a position where you can afford a pair of shoes and a decent level of living, success in itself is empty.

Success is a very hideous thing. Its false resemblance to merit deceives men.

Oh, well, I'd like to have commercial success. I guess.

So far, then, said Danglars, mentally, all has gone as I would have it. I am, temporarily, commander of the Pharaon, with the certainty of being permanently so, if that fool of a Caderousse can be persuaded to hold his tongue. My only fear is the chance of Dantes being released. But, there, he is in the hands of Justice; and, added he with a smile, she will take her own. So saying, he leaped into a boat, desiring to be rowed on board the Pharaon, where M. Morrel had agreed to meet him.

The cause was not in Dantes, but in providence, who, while limiting the power of man, has filled him with boundless desires.

Danglars was one of those men born with a pen behind the ear, and an inkstand in place of a heart. Everything with him was multiplication or subtraction. The life of a man was to him of far less value than a numeral, especially when, by taking it away, he could increase the sum total of his own desires.

He who chases the eagle takes no heed of the sparrow.

Then, when they had thus passed the day in building castles in the air, they separated their flocks, and descended from the elevation of their dreams to the reality of their humble position.

I have to admit,' replied Villefort, looking at his father with astonishment, 'you seem very well informed.' 'Heavens, it's simple enough. You people, who hold power, have only what can be bought for money; we, who are waiting to gain power, have what is given out of devotion.' 'Devotion?' Villefort laughed. 'Yes, devotion. That is the honest way to describe ambition when it has expectations.

Danglars was one of those men born with a pen behind the ear, and an ink-stand in place of a heart. Everything with him was multiplication or subtraction, and he estimated the life of a man as less precious than a figure, when that figure could increase, and the life would diminish, the total of the amount.

I have only two enemies: I shall not say two conquerors, because with persistence I can make them bow to my will: they are distance and time. The third and most awful is my condition as a mortal man. Only that can halt me on the path I have chosen before I have reached my appointed goal. Everything else is planned for.

Every day he spoke of the immensity of the treasure, explaining to Dantes all the good a man could do for his friends in our modern times with such a fortune. At those moments Dantes' face would darken, for he thought of how much harm a man could do to his enemies in our modern times with such a fortune.

Alexandre Dumas

Danglars was one of those men born with a pen behind the ear, and an inkstand in place of a heart.

Sí, la adhesión, que así en términos decorosos se llama a la ambición que espera.

My resolve is unwavering. But seek, Monsieur, and you will find: alas, every rich man has more than enough of poverty to pass by on his road through life!

Mas, se não há inimigos, talvez haja invejosos: aos dezenove anos, vai ser nomeado capitão, o que na sua situação é um posto bem elevado… Vai se casar com uma bela mulher que o ama, o que é uma felicidade rara em qualquer lugar da terra… Esses dois favores de seu destino podem ter lhe proporcionado invejosos.

The Count of Morcerf was no favorite with his colleagues. Like all upstarts, he had had recourse to a great deal of haughtiness to maintain his position.

El orgullo de quienes no pueden edificar es destruir.

My wish was not to confine myself to domestic cares, or the caprices of any man, but to be an artist, and consequently free in heart, in person, and in thought.

The anchor was instantly dropped, and the chain ran rattling through the port-hole. Dantes continued at his post in spite of the presence of the pilot, until this manoeuvre was completed, and then he added, "Half-mast the colors, and square the yards!" "You see," said Danglars, "he fancies himself captain already

Oui, le dévouement; c'est ainsi qu'on appelle en termes honnêtes, l'ambition qui espère.»

Danaro e santita, Meta della meta.

Utterly sure of himself, convinced of his power, certain that the laws that governed other men couldn't touch him, he made straight for any goal he set himself, however rarified and dazzling, even if it were folly for anyone else to even consider it.