Ambitious Quote by Jean de la Bruyere
“A slave has but one master; an ambitious man has as many masters as there are people who may be useful in bettering his position.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Reflections on Ambition, 1688
He notes that a slave serves one master, while an ambitious person serves many, using anyone who can advance their status.
In simple terms: Ambition creates many masters.
Key Takeaway
Choose allies wisely.
Themes
power
ambition
relationships
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- political lobbying
- social circles
- mentorship programs
Key Concepts
social climbing
strategic networking
Questions to Reflect On
- Who are your true allies?
- How does ambition affect your values?
A Different Perspective
Serving many may dilute loyalty and trust.
![“The court is like a palace built of marble; I mean that it is made up of very hard but very polished people. [Fr., La cour est comme un edifice bati de marbre; je veux dire qu'elle est composee d'hommes fort durs mais fort polis.]” quote by Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fcf/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_built_the-court-is-like-a-palace-built-of-marb_77288.jpg)
