Ambitious man Quote by Charles Dickens
“If an enthusiastic, ardent, and ambitious man marry a wife on whose name there is a stain, which, though it originate in no fault of hers, may be visited by cold and sordid people upon her, and upon his children also: and, in exact proportion to his success in the world, be cast in his teeth, and made the subject of sneers against him: he may, no matter how generous and good his nature, one day repent of the connection he formed in early life; and she may have the pain and torture of knowing that he does so.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Bleak House, 1853
Marrying into a tainted family can bring social stigma and personal regret, regardless of one’s virtues.
In simple terms: A bad marriage can cause lasting shame.
Key Takeaway
Choose partners wisely.
Themes
marriage
reputation
consequences
Mood
cautionary
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Courtship
- family gatherings
- social events
Key Concepts
Social stigma
family honor
personal regret
Questions to Reflect On
- What values should outweigh reputation?
- Can love overcome inherited stigma?
A Different Perspective
Societal pressures may limit personal happiness.
![“They [i.e. ambitious men] may not cease, but as a dog in a wheel, a bird in a cage, or a squirrel in a chain, so Budaeus compares them; they climb and climb still, with much labour, but never make an end, never at the top.” quote by Robert Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/68e/robert-burton-10069_ambition_they-i-e-ambitious-men-may-not-cease-but_1248849.jpg)
