--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We should never let ambition cause us to…" description: "\"We should never let ambition cause us to sacrifice our integrity or diminish our efforts in other areas. However, we need to remember that we never rea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b6/john-wooden-420_ambition_we-should-never-let-ambition-cause-us-to_854961.png" --- # We should never let ambition cause us to sacrifice our… ![“We should never let ambition cause us to sacrifice our integrity or diminish our efforts in other areas. However, we need to remember that we never reach a serious goal unless we have the intention of doing so.” quote by John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b6/john-wooden-420_ambition_we-should-never-let-ambition-cause-us-to_854961.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b6/john-wooden-420_ambition_we-should-never-let-ambition-cause-us-to_854961.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b6/john-wooden-420_ambition_we-should-never-let-ambition-cause-us-to_854961.png) > “We should never let ambition cause us to sacrifice our integrity or diminish our efforts in other areas. However, we need to remember that we never reach a serious goal unless we have the intention of doing so.” [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ambition must not eclipse integrity; purposeful intent is essential for achieving meaningful goals. **In simple terms:** Stay honest and focused while aiming high. Key Takeaway Align ambition with ethical purpose. Themes integrity ambition goal-setting Mood inspirational reflective Type leadership philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - team leadership - personal development - project management Key Concepts ethics motivation Questions to Reflect On - What values guide your ambitions? - How do you balance drive with moral standards? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on ambition can cause burnout or ethical lapses. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Intention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intention/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) ## Related quotes > [Love of power, operating through greed and through personal ambition, was the cause of all these evils.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/love-of-power-operating-through-greed-and-through-personal-ambition/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [And we will cause it to be well-made, this Sacrifice. You, young and never loving; I, old and never loved. Such a Song the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/and-we-will-cause-it-to-be-well-made-this-sacrifice-you-young-and/) [Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/) > [This is a sad day for all of us, and to none is it sadder than to me. Everything that I have worked for,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neville-chamberlain/this-is-a-sad-day-for-all-of-us-and-to-none-is-it-sadder-than-to-me-2/) [Neville Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neville-chamberlain/) > [As adults, if our top priorities are constantly directed toward the acquisition of more and better worldly goods, it will not take long to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/as-adults-if-our-top-priorities-are-constantly-directed-toward-the/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [This is a sad day for all of us, and to none is it sadder than to me. Everything that I have worked for,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neville-chamberlain/this-is-a-sad-day-for-all-of-us-and-to-none-is-it-sadder-than-to-me/) [Neville Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neville-chamberlain/) > [Don't let ambition get so far ahead that it loses sight of the job at hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-feather/don-t-let-ambition-get-so-far-ahead-that-it-loses-sight-of-the-job-at/) [William Feather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-feather/) > [“But let it be my ambition and not my fear that seals my fate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/but-let-it-be-my-ambition-and-not-my-fear-that-seals-my-fate/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [Let not ambition take possession of you; love the friends of the people, but reserve blind submission for the law and enthusiasm for liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/let-not-ambition-take-possession-of-you-love-the-friends-of-the/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [How to find joy? Let your ambition disappear; ambition is the barrier. Ambition means an ego trip: "I want to be this, I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/how-to-find-joy-let-your-ambition-disappear-ambition-is-the-barrier/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [You live in a dangerous place when you sacrifice integrity for security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-grant/you-live-in-a-dangerous-place-when-you-sacrifice-integrity-for/) [Amy Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-grant/) > [The virtue involved in helping those one loves is not 'selflessness' or 'sacrifice,' but integrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/the-virtue-involved-in-helping-those-one-loves-is-not-selflessness-or/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [“Never Sacrifice the Integrity of Your Potential”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-t-fisher/never-sacrifice-the-integrity-of-your-potential/) J T Fisher > [My mom taught me to respect myself, and to question anyone who would ask me to sacrifice my integrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-bream/my-mom-taught-me-to-respect-myself-and-to-question-anyone-who-would/) [Shannon Bream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-bream/) > [If you feel very deeply about something, it's not possible to sacrifice your integrity about that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-nunn/if-you-feel-very-deeply-about-something-it-s-not-possible-to/) [Trevor Nunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-nunn/) > [You must live your life with a solid conviction and a moral constitution. If you start to dilute your convictions, then you sacrifice your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-zounis/you-must-live-your-life-with-a-solid-conviction-and-a-moral/) Nicholas Zounis ## More by John Wooden > [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Defense is a definite part of the game, and a great part of defense is learning to play it without fouling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/defense-is-a-definite-part-of-the-game-and-a-great-part-of-defense-is/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [“It's not so important who starts the game but who finishes it. -John wooden”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-so-important-who-starts-the-game-but-who-finishes-it-john/) [John wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [“I remain convinced to this day that compassion like that—sincerely caring for your players and maintaining an active interest in their lives, concerns, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-remain-convinced-to-this-day-that-compassion-like-that-sincerely/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [I'm not going to say I was opposed to the Vietnam War. I'm going to say I'm opposed to war. But I'm also opposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-m-not-going-to-say-i-was-opposed-to-the-vietnam-war-i-m-going-to/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating...too often fathers neglect it because they get so caught up in making a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/being-a-role-model-is-the-most-powerful-form-of-educating-too-often/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Approval is a greater motivator than disapproval, but we have to disapprove on occasion when we correct. It’s necessary. I make corrections only after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/approval-is-a-greater-motivator-than-disapproval-but-we-have-to/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Each of us has a huge capacity to learn and to achieve. Being ever alert makes the task of becoming all we are capable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/each-of-us-has-a-huge-capacity-to-learn-and-to-achieve-being-ever/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Stay the course. When thwarted try again; harder; smarter. Persevere relentlessly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/stay-the-course-when-thwarted-try-again-harder-smarter-persevere/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Love is the most powerful four letter word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/love-is-the-most-powerful-four-letter-word/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [It takes 10 hands to score a basket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-takes-10-hands-to-score-a-basket/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [The best competition I have is against myself to become better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/the-best-competition-i-have-is-against-myself-to-become-better/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Whether you know it or not, whether you like it or not, the habits you are developing now will be with you for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/whether-you-know-it-or-not-whether-you-like-it-or-not-the-habits-you/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Intensity makes you stronger. Emotionalism makes you weaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/intensity-makes-you-stronger-emotionalism-makes-you-weaker/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Reputation is what others perceive you as being, and their opinion may be right or wrong. Character, however, is what you really are, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/reputation-is-what-others-perceive-you-as-being-and-their-opinion-may/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) [Explore all 578 John Wooden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) ## 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": "We should never let ambition cause us to sacrifice our integrity or diminish our efforts in other areas. 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