--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have only one ambition left: I should…" description: "\"I have only one ambition left: I should like to have a good epitaph.\" — Otto von Bismarck" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41b/otto-von-bismarck-3444_ambition_i-have-only-one-ambition-left-i-should-l_3139846.png" --- # I have only one ambition left: I should like to have a… ![“I have only one ambition left: I should like to have a good epitaph.” quote by Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41b/otto-von-bismarck-3444_ambition_i-have-only-one-ambition-left-i-should-l_3139846.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41b/otto-von-bismarck-3444_ambition_i-have-only-one-ambition-left-i-should-l_3139846.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41b/otto-von-bismarck-3444_ambition_i-have-only-one-ambition-left-i-should-l_3139846.png) > “I have only one ambition left: I should like to have a good epitaph.” [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker wishes to be remembered well, valuing legacy over material success. **In simple terms:** Desires a good legacy. Key Takeaway Focus on lasting reputation. Themes legacy reputation humility Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal memoirs - historical biographies - public monuments Key Concepts mortality self‑reflection Questions to Reflect On - What does a good epitaph mean to you? - How can you shape your legacy today? A Different Perspective May neglect present responsibilities for future image. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Epitaph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/epitaph/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Sarcasm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sarcasm/) [Sarcastic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sarcastic/) ## Related quotes > [The men and woman who make the best boon companions seem to have given up hope of doing something else...some defect of talent or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-jay-chapman/the-men-and-woman-who-make-the-best-boon-companions-seem-to-have/) [John Jay Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-jay-chapman/) > [One shouldn't write one's own epitaph. I hope people will remember me as one who did her best - and who wasn't an anachronism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margrethe-ii-of-denmark/one-shouldn-t-write-one-s-own-epitaph-i-hope-people-will-remember-me/) [Margrethe II of Denmark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margrethe-ii-of-denmark/) > [When I die, my epitaph should read: She Paid the Bills. That's the story of my private life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-swanson/when-i-die-my-epitaph-should-read-she-paid-the-bills-that-s-the-story/) [Gloria Swanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-swanson/) > [The first character that will be on my epitaph is Monisha from 'Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupali-ganguly/the-first-character-that-will-be-on-my-epitaph-is-monisha-from/) [Rupali Ganguly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupali-ganguly/) > [I don't want an epitaph on my gravestone that says, 'He would have pursued some big dreams in his life, but other people wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/i-don-t-want-an-epitaph-on-my-gravestone-that-says-he-would-have/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [...there occurred to me the simple epitaph which, when I am no more, I intend to have inscribed on my tombstone. It was this:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-occurred-to-me-the-simple-epitaph-which-when-i-am-no-more-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I haven't written my own epitaph, and I'm not sure I should. Whatever it is, I hope it will be simple, and that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/i-haven-t-written-my-own-epitaph-and-i-m-not-sure-i-should-whatever/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [I knew that I shouldn’t have, but I did it all the same; and there you have my epitaph, or one of them, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/i-knew-that-i-shouldn-t-have-but-i-did-it-all-the-same-and-there-you/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [Once someone asked me, "What do you want to be your epitaph?" So I said, "Paulo Coelho died when he was alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/once-someone-asked-me-what-do-you-want-to-be-your-epitaph-so-i-said/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“I wouldn't mind that as my epitaph.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-andrews/i-wouldn-t-mind-that-as-my-epitaph/) [Julie Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-andrews/) > [People asked me what I want as an epitaph: 'He tried'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-cuomo/people-asked-me-what-i-want-as-an-epitaph-he-tried/) [Mario Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-cuomo/) > [“I want this epitaph engraved on my tombstone: “See you soon”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douard-lev/i-want-this-epitaph-engraved-on-my-tombstone-see-you-soon/) [Édouard Levé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douard-lev/) > [To waste! You are unknown and unwanted, save by me. This, because you are fairly adept at the various embalming arts and you occasionally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/to-waste-you-are-unknown-and-unwanted-save-by-me-this-because-you-are/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [Someone once asked me what I want on my epitaph when I pass away. Just the words 'I tried.' That's what this game of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-rooney/someone-once-asked-me-what-i-want-on-my-epitaph-when-i-pass-away-just/) [Mickey Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-rooney/) > [I always thought I'd like my own tombstone to be blank. No epitaph, and no name. Well, actually, I'd like it to say 'figment.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/i-always-thought-i-d-like-my-own-tombstone-to-be-blank-no-epitaph-and/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) ## More by Otto von Bismarck > [One can put some trust in the gratitude of a sovereign, and also in that of his family; under certain conditions, one can even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/one-can-put-some-trust-in-the-gratitude-of-a-sovereign-and-also-in/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/fools-learn-from-experience-i-prefer-to-learn-from-the-experience-of/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [Earthly majesty is always akin to the fallen angel, who is proud and unhappy, beautiful but troubled, and whose plans and efforts, though vast,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/earthly-majesty-is-always-akin-to-the-fallen-angel-who-is-proud-and/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [“The Balkans aren't worth the life of a single Pomeranian grenadier.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/the-balkans-aren-t-worth-the-life-of-a-single-pomeranian-grenadier/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/never-believe-anything-in-politics-until-it-has-been-officially-denied/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [The government should cultivate the view also among the propertyless classes of the population, those who are the most numerous and the least educated,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/the-government-should-cultivate-the-view-also-among-the-propertyless/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rules of politeness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/be-polite-write-diplomatically-even-in-a-declaration-of-war-one/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [When a man says he approves of something in principle, it means he hasn't the slightest intention of carrying it out in practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/when-a-man-says-he-approves-of-something-in-principle-it-means-he/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [Preventive war is like committing suicide out of fear of death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/preventive-war-is-like-committing-suicide-out-of-fear-of-death/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [Fools you are who say you like to learn from your mistakes. I prefer to learn from the mistakes of others, and avoid the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/fools-you-are-who-say-you-like-to-learn-from-your-mistakes-i-prefer/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [“Verfallen wir nicht in den Fehler, bei jedem Andersmeinenden entweder an seinem Verständnis oder an seinem guten Willen zu zweifeln.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/verfallen-wir-nicht-in-den-fehler-bei-jedem-andersmeinenden-entweder/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [I am accustomed to pay men back in their own coin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/i-am-accustomed-to-pay-men-back-in-their-own-coin/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [I have often regretted what I have eaten, but never what I have drunk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/i-have-often-regretted-what-i-have-eaten-but-never-what-i-have-drunk/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [The nation that has the schools has the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/the-nation-that-has-the-schools-has-the-future/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [Vanity is a mortgage that must be deducted from the value of a man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/vanity-is-a-mortgage-that-must-be-deducted-from-the-value-of-a-man/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) [Explore all 130 Otto von Bismarck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) ## 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": "I have only one ambition left: I should like to have a good epitaph.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Otto von Bismarck" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/i-have-only-one-ambition-left-i-should-like-to-have-a-good-epitaph/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ambition" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/i-have-only-one-ambition-left-i-should-like-to-have-a-good-epitaph/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41b/otto-von-bismarck-3444_ambition_i-have-only-one-ambition-left-i-should-l_3139846.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41b/otto-von-bismarck-3444_ambition_i-have-only-one-ambition-left-i-should-l_3139846.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41b/otto-von-bismarck-3444_ambition_i-have-only-one-ambition-left-i-should-l_3139846.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have only one ambition left: I should like to have a good epitaph.” — Otto von Bismarck", "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": "Otto von Bismarck", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I have only one ambition left:...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/i-have-only-one-ambition-left-i-should-like-to-have-a-good-epitaph/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/i-have-only-one-ambition-left-i-should-like-to-have-a-good-epitaph/#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 } } ] } ```