Ambition Quote by Charlotte Brontë
““Relinquish! What! my vocation? My great work? My foundation laid on earth for a mansion in heaven? My hopes of being numbered in the band who have merged all ambitions in the glorious one of bettering their race - of carrying knowledge into the realms of ignorance - of substituting peace for war - freedom for bondage - religion for superstition - the hope of heaven for the fear of hell? Must I relinquish that? It is dearer than the blood in my veins. It is what I have to look forward to, and to live for.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Villette, 1853
The speaker wrestles with abandoning a lifelong, lofty mission that intertwines personal ambition, moral duty, and existential hope.
In simple terms: Should I give up my life's purpose?
Key Takeaway
Consider the cost of abandoning your calling.
Themes
purpose
ambition
morality
existence
conflict
Mood
conflicted
determined
hopeful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career decision
- activism
- personal crisis
- ethical dilemma
Key Concepts
self‑actualization
altruism
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “my vocation” truly mean to you?
- Can purpose be redefined without loss?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes a singular, noble purpose, ignoring the possibility of evolving goals.
