--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ambition is the last refuge of the failure." description: "\"Ambition is the last refuge of the failure.\" — Oscar Wilde" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83d/oscar-wilde-16_ambition_ambition-is-the-last-refuge-of-the-failu_722713.jpg" --- # Ambition is the last refuge of the failure. ![“Ambition is the last refuge of the failure.” quote by Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83d/oscar-wilde-16_ambition_ambition-is-the-last-refuge-of-the-failu_722713.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83d/oscar-wilde-16_ambition_ambition-is-the-last-refuge-of-the-failu_722713.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83d/oscar-wilde-16_ambition_ambition-is-the-last-refuge-of-the-failu_722713.jpg) > “Ambition is the last refuge of the failure.” [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He claims ambition serves as a refuge for those who fail. **In simple terms:** Ambition hides failure. Key Takeaway Recognize ambition’s defensive role. Themes ambition failure psychology Mood critical insightful Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - Personal reflection - Career planning - Therapeutic counseling Key Concepts Literary critique human motivation Questions to Reflect On - Is ambition always a cover? - How can ambition be redirected positively? A Different Perspective Ambition can also drive success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Ambition Refuge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition-refuge-3893923/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Refuge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refuge/) [Refuge Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refuge-failure-3893924/) ## Related quotes > [Ambition is the last refuge of failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/ambition-is-the-last-refuge-of-failure/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Average man is ever seeking refuge in failure so that he can surrender on the terms of his reason, but it is not possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-un-mares/average-man-is-ever-seeking-refuge-in-failure-so-that-he-can/) [Théun Mares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-un-mares/) > [“Sincerity is the last refuge of the shallow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/sincerity-is-the-last-refuge-of-the-shallow/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Seriousness is the last refuge of the shallow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/seriousness-is-the-last-refuge-of-the-shallow/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Crying is the refuge of plain women but the ruin of pretty ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/crying-is-the-refuge-of-plain-women-but-the-ruin-of-pretty-ones/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [I have always been of the opinion that hard work is simply the refuge of people who have nothing whatever to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/i-have-always-been-of-the-opinion-that-hard-work-is-simply-the-refuge/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Work is the refuge of people who have nothing better to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/work-is-the-refuge-of-people-who-have-nothing-better-to-do/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Indeed I have always been of the opinion that hard work is simply the refuge of people who have nothing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/indeed-i-have-always-been-of-the-opinion-that-hard-work-is-simply-the/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Consistency is the last refuge of the unimagininative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/consistency-is-the-last-refuge-of-the-unimagininative/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Seriousness is the only refuge of the shallow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/seriousness-is-the-only-refuge-of-the-shallow/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Failure is only postponed success as long as courage 'coaches' ambition. The habit of persistence is the habit of victory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-kaufman/failure-is-only-postponed-success-as-long-as-courage-coaches-ambition/) [Herbert Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-kaufman/) > [Ambition is the germ from which all growth of nobleness proceeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/ambition-is-the-germ-from-which-all-growth-of-nobleness-proceeds/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“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/) > [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/) > [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/) ## More by Oscar Wilde > [How else but through a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/how-else-but-through-a-broken-heart-may-lord-christ-enter-in/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-books-that-the-world-calls-immoral-are-the-books-that-show-the/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Bachelors should be heavily taxed. It is not fair that some men should be happier than others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/bachelors-should-be-heavily-taxed-it-is-not-fair-that-some-men-should/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Who, being loved, is poor?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/who-being-loved-is-poor/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Basil my dear boy puts everything that is charming in him into his work. The consequence is that he has nothing left for life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/basil-my-dear-boy-puts-everything-that-is-charming-in-him-into-his/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Anybody can be good in the country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/anybody-can-be-good-in-the-country/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [I don't at all like knowing what people say of me behind my back. It makes me far too conceited.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/i-don-t-at-all-like-knowing-what-people-say-of-me-behind-my-back-it/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Alles Populäre ist falsch.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/alles-popul-re-ist-falsch/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“If these elements of beauty are real, the whole thing simply appeals to our sense of dramatic effect. Suddenly we find that we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/if-these-elements-of-beauty-are-real-the-whole-thing-simply-appeals/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [To love one's self is the beginning of a life-long romance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/to-love-one-s-self-is-the-beginning-of-a-life-long-romance/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/those-who-find-beautiful-meanings-in-beautiful-things-are-the/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Men always want to be a womans first love. Women have a more subtle instinct: What they like is to be a mans last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/men-always-want-to-be-a-womans-first-love-women-have-a-more-subtle/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Why is it that at a bachelor's establishment the servants invariably drink the champagne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/why-is-it-that-at-a-bachelor-s-establishment-the-servants-invariably/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Moderation is a fatal thing. Enough is as bad as a meal. More than enough is as good as a feast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/moderation-is-a-fatal-thing-enough-is-as-bad-as-a-meal-more-than/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Beauty is the only thing that time cannot harm. Philosophies fall away like sand, creeds follow one another, but what is beautiful is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/beauty-is-the-only-thing-that-time-cannot-harm-philosophies-fall-away/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) [Explore all 3,343 Oscar Wilde quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) ## 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 is the last refuge of the failure.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Oscar Wilde" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/ambition-is-the-last-refuge-of-the-failure/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ambition" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/ambition-is-the-last-refuge-of-the-failure/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83d/oscar-wilde-16_ambition_ambition-is-the-last-refuge-of-the-failu_722713.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83d/oscar-wilde-16_ambition_ambition-is-the-last-refuge-of-the-failu_722713.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83d/oscar-wilde-16_ambition_ambition-is-the-last-refuge-of-the-failu_722713.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Ambition is the last refuge of the failure.” — Oscar Wilde", "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": "Oscar Wilde", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Ambition is the last refuge of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/ambition-is-the-last-refuge-of-the-failure/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/ambition-is-the-last-refuge-of-the-failure/#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 } } ] } ```