Ambition Quote by Quintilian
“Give me the boy who rouses when he is praised, who profits when he is encouraged and who cries when he is defeated. Such a boy will be fired by ambition; he will be stung by reproach, and animated by preference; never shall I apprehend any bad consequences from idleness in such a boy.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Institutio Oratoria, Book 2, 2.1, 1st century AD
A boy who reacts strongly to praise, encouragement, and defeat will be driven by ambition, feel shame, and be guided by preferences, making idleness unlikely to cause harm.
In simple terms: Sensitive youth are motivated by external feedback and avoid laziness.
Key Takeaway
Encourage balanced self‑esteem.
Themes
motivation
ambition
feedback
character development
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- parenting
- teaching
- personal growth
- leadership training
Key Concepts
Stoicism
psychology
education
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we foster intrinsic motivation?
- What role does failure play in growth?
A Different Perspective
May become overly dependent on external validation.
