Garden Quote by Charles Dickens
““Waste forces within him, and a desert all around, this man stood still on his way across a silent terrace, and saw for a moment, lying in the wilderness before him, a mirage of honourable ambition, self-denial, and perseverance. In the fair city of this vision, there were airy galleries from which the loves and graces looked upon him, gardens in which the fruits of life hung ripening, waters of Hope that sparkled in his sight. A moment and it was gone. Climbing to a high chamber in a well of houses, he threw himself down in his clothes on a neglected bed, and its pillow was wet with wasted tears.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Great Expectations, 1861
Desperate ambition can lead to self‑destruction, leaving one with wasted effort and sorrow.
In simple terms: Blind ambition brings emptiness and regret.
Key Takeaway
Seek balanced goals to avoid ruin.
Themes
ambition
despair
illusion
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career pursuit
- personal loss
- spiritual searching
Key Concepts
existential crisis
self‑sacrifice
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives your ambitions?
- How do you measure true fulfillment?
A Different Perspective
Ambition can also inspire positive change.
