--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Desiring to excel is not a sin. It is…" description: "\"Desiring to excel is not a sin. It is motivation that determines ambition's character. Our Lord never taught against the urge to high achievement, but ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3b/j-oswald-sanders-9140_achievement_desiring-to-excel-is-not-a-sin-it-is-mot_1443358.jpg" --- # Desiring to excel is not a sin. It is motivation that… ![“Desiring to excel is not a sin. It is motivation that determines ambition's character. Our Lord never taught against the urge to high achievement, but He did expose and condemn unworthy motivation.” quote by J. Oswald Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3b/j-oswald-sanders-9140_achievement_desiring-to-excel-is-not-a-sin-it-is-mot_1443358.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3b/j-oswald-sanders-9140_achievement_desiring-to-excel-is-not-a-sin-it-is-mot_1443358.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3b/j-oswald-sanders-9140_achievement_desiring-to-excel-is-not-a-sin-it-is-mot_1443358.jpg) > “Desiring to excel is not a sin. It is motivation that determines ambition's character. Our Lord never taught against the urge to high achievement, but He did expose and condemn unworthy motivation.” [J. Oswald Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-oswald-sanders/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ambition driven by pure motives is virtuous, while selfish or prideful drives are condemned. **In simple terms:** Good motives make ambition noble. Key Takeaway Cultivate noble motives. Themes ambition morality motivation Mood reflective inspirational Type theological ethical When to use this quote - career advancement - academic pursuits - leadership roles - personal goals Key Concepts theology ethics character Questions to Reflect On - What motivates your goals? - How can you align ambition with humility? A Different Perspective Self‑interest can masquerade as noble ambition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Achievement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achievement/) [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Ambition Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition-character-5171515/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Desiring Excel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desiring-excel-5171514/) [Determine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determine/) [Determines Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determines-ambition-5171513/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Our lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-lord/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Sin Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin-motivation-5171512/) [Spiritual leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-leader/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Taught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taught/) [Unworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unworthy/) [Urges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/urges/) ## Related quotes > [The spiritual leader should outpace the rest of the church, above all, in prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-oswald-sanders/the-spiritual-leader-should-outpace-the-rest-of-the-church-above-all/) [J. 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