--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ambition, as that passion is generally…" description: "\"Ambition, as that passion is generally understood,- a strong desire to rise above others, to occupy the first place, - formed no part of Lafayette's ch..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c87/marquis-de-lafayette-9735_ambition_ambition-as-that-passion-is-generally-un_1756066.jpg" --- # Ambition, as that passion is generally understood,- a… ![“Ambition, as that passion is generally understood,- a strong desire to rise above others, to occupy the first place, - formed no part of Lafayette's character. In him the passion was nothing more than a constant and irresistible wish to do good.” quote by Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c87/marquis-de-lafayette-9735_ambition_ambition-as-that-passion-is-generally-un_1756066.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c87/marquis-de-lafayette-9735_ambition_ambition-as-that-passion-is-generally-un_1756066.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c87/marquis-de-lafayette-9735_ambition_ambition-as-that-passion-is-generally-un_1756066.jpg) > “Ambition, as that passion is generally understood,- a strong desire to rise above others, to occupy the first place, - formed no part of Lafayette's character. In him the passion was nothing more than a constant and irresistible wish to do good.” [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True ambition is a selfless drive to help others, not to outshine them. **In simple terms:** Ambition should serve others. Key Takeaway Pursue selfless goals. Themes service humility leadership Mood inspirational reflective Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - Community projects - public service - team leadership Key Concepts Virtue ethics social responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance personal growth with serving others? - What safeguards prevent misuse of altruistic ambition? A Different Perspective Selfless ambition can be exploited by others. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Ambition Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition-passion-447948/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-passion-517425/) [Constant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constant/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [First place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-place/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Irresistible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irresistible/) [Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lafayette/) [Lafayette Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lafayette-character-1648787/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Passion Generally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion-generally-1648788/) [Rise above](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rise-above/) [Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong/) [Strong desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-desire/) [Understood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understood/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [“There are antecedent passion and consequent passion, that is, passion which precedes the use of reason or faith, and so hinders it; and passion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-sertillanges/there-are-antecedent-passion-and-consequent-passion-that-is-passion/) [Antonin Sertillanges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-sertillanges/) > [If I have a reason to do something, and I have enough passion, I generally succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leander-paes/if-i-have-a-reason-to-do-something-and-i-have-enough-passion-i/) [Leander Paes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leander-paes/) > [Till the hour when the trump of the Archangel shall sound to announce that Time shall be no more, the name of Lafayette shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/till-the-hour-when-the-trump-of-the-archangel-shall-sound-to-announce/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [It doesn't matter if a character is a lawyer, a cop or a geography teacher. If there's a story in there, where the character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-standen/it-doesn-t-matter-if-a-character-is-a-lawyer-a-cop-or-a-geography/) [Clive Standen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-standen/) > [I absolutely love Aquaman, and the character has been a passion since 'Blackest Night.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/i-absolutely-love-aquaman-and-the-character-has-been-a-passion-since/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [If you understand your character and feel like it's a collaborative process, you're more inclined to dive into the deep end and fight for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katheryn-winnick/if-you-understand-your-character-and-feel-like-it-s-a-collaborative/) [Katheryn Winnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katheryn-winnick/) > [Everywhere man blames nature and fate yet his fate is mostly but the echo of his character and passion, his mistakes and his weaknesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/everywhere-man-blames-nature-and-fate-yet-his-fate-is-mostly-but-the-3/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Character, not passion keeps marriages together long enough to do their work of raising children into mature, responsible, productive citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/character-not-passion-keeps-marriages-together-long-enough-to-do/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [Ambition is a passion, at once strong and insidious, and is very apt to cheat a man out of his happiness and his true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bates/ambition-is-a-passion-at-once-strong-and-insidious-and-is-very-apt-to/) [Edward Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bates/) > [Your ambition,passion & determination are the way to make your dreams come true, you need to try & work on it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/your-ambition-passion-determination-are-the-way-to-make-your-dreams/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/great-ambition-is-the-passion-of-a-great-character-those-endowed-with/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [I know my ambition and my passion and to know how I want to grow up with Arsenal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unai-emery/i-know-my-ambition-and-my-passion-and-to-know-how-i-want-to-grow-up/) [Unai Emery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unai-emery/) > [I love music so much, and as long as I got all this enthusiasm and ambition, and passion for this music; as long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wall/i-love-music-so-much-and-as-long-as-i-got-all-this-enthusiasm-and/) [Paul Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wall/) > [Intelligence without ambition & passion is like a boat without sailor. With intelligence,wings of ambition & passion takes flight to fullfilment of the dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/intelligence-without-ambition-passion-is-like-a-boat-without-sailor/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [Great ambition is the passion of a great character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/great-ambition-is-the-passion-of-a-great-character/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) ## More by Marquis de Lafayette > [May the friends of America rejoice! May her enemies be humbled and her censors silenced at the news of her noble exertions in continuance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/may-the-friends-of-america-rejoice-may-her-enemies-be-humbled-and-her/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [The Huron and Iroquois forests are peopled by my friends; with me, the despots of Europe and their courts are the savages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/the-huron-and-iroquois-forests-are-peopled-by-my-friends-with-me-the/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [The Emperor Napoleon, ascending gradually from his post of national magistrate to seat himself upon a throne without limits, seems to have wished to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/the-emperor-napoleon-ascending-gradually-from-his-post-of-national/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [If the liberties of the American people are ever destroyed, they will fall by the hands of the clergy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/if-the-liberties-of-the-american-people-are-ever-destroyed-they-will/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [ If you were lost for America, there is nobody who could keep the army and the revolution \[going\] for six months. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/if-you-were-lost-for-america-there-is-nobody-who-could-keep-the-army/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [I have found a unique opportunity to distinguish myself and to learn my trade. I am a general officer in the army of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/i-have-found-a-unique-opportunity-to-distinguish-myself-and-to-learn/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [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/) > [In America there are none poor, and none even that can be called peasants. Each citizen has some property, and all citizens have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/in-america-there-are-none-poor-and-none-even-that-can-be-called/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [May the States be so bound to each other as forever to defy European politics. Upon that union, their consequence, their happiness, will depend.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/may-the-states-be-so-bound-to-each-other-as-forever-to-defy-european/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [In my idea General Washington is the greatest man; for I look upon him as the most virtuous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/in-my-idea-general-washington-is-the-greatest-man-for-i-look-upon-him/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [The king knows with what ardor and perseverance I have at all times been devoted to the cause of liberty and to the principles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/the-king-knows-with-what-ardor-and-perseverance-i-have-at-all-times/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [One time, I was given an essay topic: to describe a perfect horse, whom the mere sight of the rider's whip would make obedient.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/one-time-i-was-given-an-essay-topic-to-describe-a-perfect-horse-whom/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [From an early period, I had the happiness to rank among the foremost in the American Revolution. In the affection and confidence of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/from-an-early-period-i-had-the-happiness-to-rank-among-the-foremost/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [All that you are, all that I owe to you, justifies my love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/all-that-you-are-all-that-i-owe-to-you-justifies-my-love/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [It was by a Maryland colonel in the year 1777 that the British received, in the gallant defense of an important fort, one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/it-was-by-a-maryland-colonel-in-the-year-1777-that-the-british/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) [Explore all 70 Marquis de Lafayette quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) ## 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": "Ambition, as that passion is generally understood,- a strong desire to rise above others, to occupy the first place, - formed no part of Lafayette's character. 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