Ambition Quote by Wallace Stegner
““Ambition is a path, not a destination, and it is essentially the same path for everybody. No matter what the goal is, the path leads through Pilgrim’s Progress regions of motivation, hard work, persistence, stubbornness, and resilience under disappointment. Unconsidered, merely indulged, ambition becomes a vice; it can turn an man into a machine that knows nothing but how to run. Considered, it can be something else — pathway to the stars, maybe. I suspect that what makes hedonists so angry when they think about overachievers is that the overachievers, without benefit of drugs or orgies, have more fun.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Last American by Wallace Stegner, 1955
Ambition is a journey of effort and resilience, not a fixed endpoint; it can empower or dehumanize depending on how it’s managed.
In simple terms: Ambition is a process, not a goal.
Key Takeaway
Balance drive with humanity.
Themes
ambition
motivation
resilience
humanity
balance
Mood
reflective
cautious
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- personal development
- creative projects
- overcoming burnout
Key Concepts
purpose
self‑control
meaning
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you keep ambition aligned with personal values?
- What signs show ambition becoming a vice?
A Different Perspective
Unchecked ambition can lead to loss of self and ethical compromise.
