Nothing but ambition, nothing but the desire to get on…
““Nothing but ambition, nothing but the desire to get on, that's all there is in his soul," she thought; "as for these lofty ideals, love of culture, religion, they are only so many tools for getting on.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Ambition and desire for advancement dominate his soul; lofty ideals like love of culture or religion are merely tools for personal gain.
In simple terms: He sees ambition as primary; ideals are just means.
Key Takeaway
Beware of using values only as stepping stones.
Themes
ambition
idealism
materialism
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- political maneuvering
- social networking
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
existentialism
social critique
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Are your goals driven by true values or by personal advancement?
- Can you separate genuine appreciation from utilitarian use?
A Different Perspective
Idealism may be genuine for some, not merely instrumental.