--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ambition is a passion, at once strong and…" description: "\"Ambition is a passion, at once strong and insidious, and is very apt to cheat a man out of his happiness and his true respectability of character\" — Ed..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed2/edward-bates-78244_ambition_ambition-is-a-passion-at-once-strong-and_2254177.png" --- # Ambition is a passion, at once strong and insidious, and… ![“Ambition is a passion, at once strong and insidious, and is very apt to cheat a man out of his happiness and his true respectability of character” quote by Edward Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed2/edward-bates-78244_ambition_ambition-is-a-passion-at-once-strong-and_2254177.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed2/edward-bates-78244_ambition_ambition-is-a-passion-at-once-strong-and_2254177.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed2/edward-bates-78244_ambition_ambition-is-a-passion-at-once-strong-and_2254177.png) > “Ambition is a passion, at once strong and insidious, and is very apt to cheat a man out of his happiness and his true respectability of character” Edward Bates ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ambition can drive success but also distract from happiness and integrity. **In simple terms:** Ambition may harm happiness and character. Key Takeaway Balance ambition with personal values. Themes ambition integrity happiness character Mood reflective cautious Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - personal relationships - self‑reflection Key Concepts psychology ethics motivation Questions to Reflect On - How does ambition affect your well‑being? - What values keep you grounded? A Different Perspective Ambition may be hard to control without self‑awareness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Insidious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insidious/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Respectability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respectability/) ## Related quotes > [Never let a man define who you are. Never borrow someone elses man. If he cheated with you, hell cheat on you. A man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercy-pheona/never-let-a-man-define-who-you-are-never-borrow-someone-elses-man-if/) [Mercy Pheona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercy-pheona/) > [To cheat a man is nothing; but the woman must have fine parts, indeed, who cheats a woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/to-cheat-a-man-is-nothing-but-the-woman-must-have-fine-parts-indeed/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [A real man doesn't have time to cheat because that man is too busy providing all of which a good woman deserves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/a-real-man-doesn-t-have-time-to-cheat-because-that-man-is-too-busy/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [To cheat a man isnothing; but the womanmust have fine parts indeed who cheats a woman!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/to-cheat-a-man-isnothing-but-the-womanmust-have-fine-parts-indeed-who/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [I had considered giving up but my desire and passion were too strong. I wanted to make it as professional footballer and now I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorenzo-insigne/i-had-considered-giving-up-but-my-desire-and-passion-were-too-strong/) [Lorenzo Insigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorenzo-insigne/) > [I am an animal, my teeth are sharp and my mouth is full, and the passion is strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-townshend/i-am-an-animal-my-teeth-are-sharp-and-my-mouth-is-full-and-the/) [Pete Townshend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-townshend/) > [I have found that people who have a passion or a strong will for what they want to achieve, and who do not allow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/i-have-found-that-people-who-have-a-passion-or-a-strong-will-for-what/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Be brave and be patient. Have faith in yourself; trust in the significance of your life and the purpose of your passion. You are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-michaels/be-brave-and-be-patient-have-faith-in-yourself-trust-in-the/) [Jillian Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jillian-michaels/) > [Passion is a strong emotional desire of love and hate to humans or objects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/green-monk/passion-is-a-strong-emotional-desire-of-love-and-hate-to-humans-or/) [Green Monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/green-monk/) > [“Passion is not only a strong desire to love, but also a strong desire to kill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-amber/passion-is-not-only-a-strong-desire-to-love-but-also-a-strong-desire/) [Claire Amber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-amber/) > [I know my ambition and my passion and to know how I want to grow up with Arsenal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unai-emery/i-know-my-ambition-and-my-passion-and-to-know-how-i-want-to-grow-up/) [Unai Emery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unai-emery/) > [Ambition, as that passion is generally understood,- a strong desire to rise above others, to occupy the first place, - formed no part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/ambition-as-that-passion-is-generally-understood-a-strong-desire-to/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [I love music so much, and as long as I got all this enthusiasm and ambition, and passion for this music; as long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wall/i-love-music-so-much-and-as-long-as-i-got-all-this-enthusiasm-and/) [Paul Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wall/) > [Intelligence without ambition & passion is like a boat without sailor. With intelligence,wings of ambition & passion takes flight to fullfilment of the dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/intelligence-without-ambition-passion-is-like-a-boat-without-sailor/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/great-ambition-is-the-passion-of-a-great-character-those-endowed-with/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) ## More by Edward Bates > [I long for the days of good honest crooks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bates/i-long-for-the-days-of-good-honest-crooks/) Edward Bates > [ “ \[Mr. Bates comments on the description of Robespierre in History of the French Revolution by M. J. L. Adolphe Thiers\] He was a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bates/mr-bates-comments-on-the-description-of-robespierre-in-history-of-the/) Edward Bates Explore all 3 Edward Bates quotes ## More Ambition quotes > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [One needs more than ambition and talent to make a success of anything, really. There must be love and a vocation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessye-norman/one-needs-more-than-ambition-and-talent-to-make-a-success-of-anything/) [Jessye Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessye-norman/) > [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [A man's worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-man-s-worth-is-no-greater-than-the-worth-of-his-ambitions/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm hungry and ambitious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julen-lopetegui/i-m-hungry-and-ambitious/) [Julen Lopetegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julen-lopetegui/) > [“I was ambitious and desperate to direct my first film, so I capitulated and blew it. Never again. Never fucking again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-was-ambitious-and-desperate-to-direct-my-first-film-so-i/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [I was always attracted most to joining City, and I am pleased to be at such a good club with such a big ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edin-dzeko/i-was-always-attracted-most-to-joining-city-and-i-am-pleased-to-be-at/) [Edin Dzeko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edin-dzeko/) > [Work towards your goal and dont watch the post size,its either they hate,or like you.there is no room for both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-buabeng/work-towards-your-goal-and-dont-watch-the-post-size-its-either-they/) [Isaac Buabeng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-buabeng/) > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I almost never have a plan for myself... I'm not ambitious in that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-plimpton/i-almost-never-have-a-plan-for-myself-i-m-not-ambitious-in-that-way/) [Martha Plimpton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-plimpton/) > [I play for high stakes and given an audience - there is no act too daring or too noble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-play-for-high-stakes-and-given-an-audience-there-is-no-act-too/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [There's nothing worse than a leader who lacks ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-nothing-worse-than-a-leader-who-lacks-ambition/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If i can't even protect my captain's dream, then whatever ambition i have is nothing but talk..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoro/if-i-can-t-even-protect-my-captain-s-dream-then-whatever-ambition-i/) [Zoro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoro/) > [It may seem unattainable but if you put actions, your heart and your mind into it, you will prevail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-mond/it-may-seem-unattainable-but-if-you-put-actions-your-heart-and-your/) [London Mond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-mond/) > [Obligation is what's leading us to toward successful, and what keeps us moving towards the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wazim-shaw/obligation-is-what-s-leading-us-to-toward-successful-and-what-keeps/) [Wazim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wazim-shaw/) [Browse all 4,601 Ambition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Ambition is a passion, at once strong and insidious, and is very apt to cheat a man out of his happiness and his true respectability of character", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward Bates" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bates/ambition-is-a-passion-at-once-strong-and-insidious-and-is-very-apt-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ambition" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bates/ambition-is-a-passion-at-once-strong-and-insidious-and-is-very-apt-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed2/edward-bates-78244_ambition_ambition-is-a-passion-at-once-strong-and_2254177.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed2/edward-bates-78244_ambition_ambition-is-a-passion-at-once-strong-and_2254177.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed2/edward-bates-78244_ambition_ambition-is-a-passion-at-once-strong-and_2254177.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Ambition is a passion, at once strong and insidious, and is very apt to cheat a man out of his happiness and…” — Edward Bates", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Edward Bates", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bates/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Ambition is a passion, at once...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bates/ambition-is-a-passion-at-once-strong-and-insidious-and-is-very-apt-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bates/ambition-is-a-passion-at-once-strong-and-insidious-and-is-very-apt-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```