Ambition Quote by Abraham Lincoln
“Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true or not, I can say, for one, that I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow-men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem. How far I shall succeed in gratifying this ambition is yet to be developed.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Personal correspondence, 1862
He desires respect from others by being worthy of it, seeing esteem as his highest ambition.
In simple terms: He wants respect by being respectable.
Key Takeaway
Live honorably to earn respect.
Themes
ambition
esteem
integrity
social standing
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- leadership
- public service
- community involvement
Key Concepts
virtue ethics
self‑actualization
Questions to Reflect On
- What actions earn you true respect?
- Is personal esteem more valuable than fame?
A Different Perspective
Respect cannot be demanded, only earned.
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