Ambition Quote by George Gilder
![“The United States is probably the most [socially] mobile society in the history of the world. The virtues that are most valuable in it are diligence, discipline, ambition, and a willingness to take risks. Education and credentials are most important in government; elsewhere most skills are learned…” quote by George Gilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c6f/george-gilder-6757_ambition_the-united-states-is-probably-the-most-s_423349.jpg)
“The United States is probably the most [socially] mobile society in the history of the world. The virtues that are most valuable in it are diligence, discipline, ambition, and a willingness to take risks. Education and credentials are most important in government; elsewhere most skills are learned on the job.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Knowledge and Power: The Information Revolution, 1995
America’s high social mobility rewards diligence, discipline, ambition, and risk‑taking; formal education matters most in government, while most skills are learned on the job.
In simple terms: US mobility rewards hard work and risk; education key for government.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate discipline and take calculated risks.
Themes
society
mobility
education
Mood
optimistic
analytical
Type
explanatory
policy-oriented
When to use this quote
- career planning
- entrepreneurship
- public service
Key Concepts
human capital
risk tolerance
credentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance ambition with social responsibility?
- What role should formal education play in non‑government fields?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on risk can ignore systemic barriers.
