Ambition Quote by Graham Greene
““My second wife left me because she said I was too ambitious. She didn't realize that it is only the dying who are free from ambition. And they probably have the ambition to live. Some men disguise their ambition--that's all. I was in a position to help this young man my wife loved. He soon showed his ambition then. There are different types of ambition - that is all, and my wife found she preferred mine. Because it was limitless. They do not feel the infinite is an unworthy rival, but for a man to prefer the desk of an assistant manager - that is an insult.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The End of the Affair, 1951
Ambition is portrayed as a dying man’s freedom, while limitless ambition is both a curse and a drive.
In simple terms: Ambition can free or imprison.
Key Takeaway
Recognize ambition’s double‑edged nature.
Themes
ambition
freedom
human desire
Mood
introspective
serious
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- personal relationships
- creative pursuits
- leadership challenges
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives your ambition?
- When does ambition become harmful?
A Different Perspective
Unlimited ambition may lead to isolation.
