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.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Letter to Mrs. Bixby, 1864
He values being respected by others and seeks to earn that respect through worthy actions.
In simple terms: He wants others to esteem him by being worthy.
Key Takeaway
Earn respect by acting honorably.
Themes
esteem
ambition
social standing
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
ethical
motivational
When to use this quote
- political career
- community involvement
- leadership roles
Key Concepts
virtue
reputation
self‑esteem
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you demonstrate worthiness to others?
- What actions truly earn esteem?
A Different Perspective
Respect can be fleeting if not consistently earned.
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