--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is no guilt greater than to…" description: "\"“There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition;”\" — Lao Tzu" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03b/lao-tzu-624_ambition_there-is-no-guilt-greater-than-to-sancti_229544.jpg" --- # There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition; ![“There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition;” quote by Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03b/lao-tzu-624_ambition_there-is-no-guilt-greater-than-to-sancti_229544.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03b/lao-tzu-624_ambition_there-is-no-guilt-greater-than-to-sancti_229544.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03b/lao-tzu-624_ambition_there-is-no-guilt-greater-than-to-sancti_229544.jpg) > ““There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition;”” [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ambition unchecked can become a moral failing, outweighing any achievement. **In simple terms:** Unchecked ambition is a moral flaw. Key Takeaway Guard against excessive ambition. Themes ethics ambition morality Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - career advancement - personal goals - leadership decisions Key Concepts self‑control virtue inner peace Questions to Reflect On - What drives your ambition? - How do you keep it in check? A Different Perspective Ambition can be positive when balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Greater Sanction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater-sanction-2326536/) [Guilt Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt-greater-2326537/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Sanction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sanction/) [Sanction Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sanction-ambition-2326535/) ## Related quotes > [None seem to bear the imputation of supposed guilt with greater intolerance than such as are, on other occasions, obviously culpable of vice or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/none-seem-to-bear-the-imputation-of-supposed-guilt-with-greater/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Not taking the Bible (or other texts based on 'revealed truths') literally leaves it up to the reader to cherry-pick elements for belief. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tayler/not-taking-the-bible-or-other-texts-based-on-revealed-truths/) [Jeffrey Tayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tayler/) > [Sleep is a reward for some, a punishment for others. For all, it is a sanction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sleep-is-a-reward-for-some-a-punishment-for-others-for-all-it-is-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Where the great force lies, there must be the sanction of peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/where-the-great-force-lies-there-must-be-the-sanction-of-peace/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [The sanction of force stands behind the medley of personal orders and regulations of Martial Law. The sanction of the people's consent stands behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zulfikar-ali-bhutto/the-sanction-of-force-stands-behind-the-medley-of-personal-orders-and/) [Zulfikar Ali Bhutto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zulfikar-ali-bhutto/) > [Charity and good-nature give a sanction to the most common actions; and pride and ill-nature make our best virtues despicable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wycherley/charity-and-good-nature-give-a-sanction-to-the-most-common-actions/) [William Wycherley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wycherley/) > [There have always been different opinions on some elements of our sanction policy. It will probably stay that way... What is important is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/federica-mogherini/there-have-always-been-different-opinions-on-some-elements-of-our/) [Federica Mogherini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/federica-mogherini/) > [We understand that the Iranian position is very bad because of the well-known sanctions against that country, and it would be unfair to leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/we-understand-that-the-iranian-position-is-very-bad-because-of-the/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being. I am the warrant and the sanction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/i-need-no-warrant-for-being-and-no-word-of-sanction-upon-my-being-i/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [Universal Credit claimants who refuse to accept a zero hours contract job offer, without good reason, can be subject to a sanction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-mcvey/universal-credit-claimants-who-refuse-to-accept-a-zero-hours-contract/) [Esther McVey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-mcvey/) > [You create a work of art. You do not know whether it will get public sanction. Sometimes outstanding films do no business, and sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dev-anand/you-create-a-work-of-art-you-do-not-know-whether-it-will-get-public/) [Dev Anand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dev-anand/) > [To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/to-discuss-evil-in-a-manner-implying-neutrality-is-to-sanction-it/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [If the person who can effectively sanction ill-conceived wars can play the electric guitar, which is a symbol of rebellion, then that whole worldview…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/if-the-person-who-can-effectively-sanction-ill-conceived-wars-can/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [“one state commits an illegal act against another state, and refuses to make reparation or to appear before an international tribunal, there is (or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-state-commits-an-illegal-act-against-another-state-and-refuses-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We believe that unilateral sanctions violate international law, in fact. They violate free trade. They violate human growth and development, human development, and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hassan-rouhani/we-believe-that-unilateral-sanctions-violate-international-law-in/) [Hassan Rouhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hassan-rouhani/) ## More by Lao Tzu > [“This is how they are able to continue and endure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/this-is-how-they-are-able-to-continue-and-endure/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Gravity is the root of lightness;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/gravity-is-the-root-of-lightness/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Therefore the Tao is great;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/therefore-the-tao-is-great/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Not seeking, not expecting, she is present, and can welcome all things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/not-seeking-not-expecting-she-is-present-and-can-welcome-all-things/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“What all men fear is indeed to be feared;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/what-all-men-fear-is-indeed-to-be-feared/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Just remain in the center; watching. And then forget that you are there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/just-remain-in-the-center-watching-and-then-forget-that-you-are-there/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“This is what is called 'The mysterious Quality' (of the Tao).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/this-is-what-is-called-the-mysterious-quality-of-the-tao/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“If you show yourself, you will not be seen. If you affirm yourself, you will not shine. If you boast, you will have no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/if-you-show-yourself-you-will-not-be-seen-if-you-affirm-yourself-you/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“The thirty spokes unite in the one nave; but it is on the empty space (for the axle), that the use of the wheel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-thirty-spokes-unite-in-the-one-nave-but-it-is-on-the-empty-space/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“To know and yet (think) we do not know is the highest (attainment); not to know (and yet think) we do know is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/to-know-and-yet-think-we-do-not-know-is-the-highest-attainment-not-to/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/he-who-knows-other-men-is-discerning-he-who-knows-himself-is/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“If you are depressed, you are living in the past; if you are anxious, you are living in the present; if you are at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/if-you-are-depressed-you-are-living-in-the-past-if-you-are-anxious/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Simplicity without a name Is free from all external aim. With no desire, at rest and still, All things go right as of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/simplicity-without-a-name-is-free-from-all-external-aim-with-no/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/when-gold-and-jade-fill-the-hall-their-possessor-cannot-keep-them-safe/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“We listen to it, and we do not hear it, and we name it 'the Inaudible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/we-listen-to-it-and-we-do-not-hear-it-and-we-name-it-the-inaudible/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) [Explore all 434 Lao Tzu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) ## 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": "“There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition;”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lao Tzu" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/there-is-no-guilt-greater-than-to-sanction-ambition/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ambition" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/there-is-no-guilt-greater-than-to-sanction-ambition/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03b/lao-tzu-624_ambition_there-is-no-guilt-greater-than-to-sancti_229544.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03b/lao-tzu-624_ambition_there-is-no-guilt-greater-than-to-sancti_229544.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03b/lao-tzu-624_ambition_there-is-no-guilt-greater-than-to-sancti_229544.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition;” — Lao Tzu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Lao Tzu", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“There is no guilt greater than...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/there-is-no-guilt-greater-than-to-sanction-ambition/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/there-is-no-guilt-greater-than-to-sanction-ambition/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```