Desire Quote by Naomi Alderman
““The thing about the Lexington International Bank ladder was that it was very long, and climbing it was very exhausting, and so Andrew Brown didn't have a lot of time to think about whether he really wanted to get to the top of it—and besides, since so many other people were climbing too, the view from the top must be worth it. So he kept going. He worked hard. He put his heart and mind and soul into it. There was an opening for a position half a rung higher than he already was. With a promotion, he might get two hours a week of a secretary's time. He'd go to more important meetings, with more senior people, and have the opportunity to impress them, and if he did he might be promoted again and then... well, of course eventually he'd be running the whole office. It's important to have a dream: otherwise you might notice where you really are.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Power by Naomi Alderman, 2016
Ambition drives people to endure hardship for future rewards, even when the effort feels exhausting.
In simple terms: Hard work leads to advancement.
Key Takeaway
Keep pushing toward higher goals.
Themes
ambition
career
growth
Mood
determined
hopeful
Type
motivational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- office promotion
- career planning
- personal development
- overcoming fatigue
Key Concepts
motivation
goal setting
career ladder
Questions to Reflect On
- What long‑term goal fuels your daily effort?
- How do you balance ambition with well‑being?
A Different Perspective
Hard work may lead to burnout if not balanced.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
