--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ambition's monstrous stomach does…" description: "\"Ambition's monstrous stomach does increase By eating, and it fears to starve, unless It still may feed, and all it sees devour; Ambition is not tir'd w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6e/william-davenant-21204_ambition_ambition-s-monstrous-stomach-does-increa_2247250.jpg" --- # Ambition's monstrous stomach does increase By eating, and… ![“Ambition's monstrous stomach does increase By eating, and it fears to starve, unless It still may feed, and all it sees devour; Ambition is not tir'd with toll nor cloy'd with power.” quote by William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6e/william-davenant-21204_ambition_ambition-s-monstrous-stomach-does-increa_2247250.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6e/william-davenant-21204_ambition_ambition-s-monstrous-stomach-does-increa_2247250.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6e/william-davenant-21204_ambition_ambition-s-monstrous-stomach-does-increa_2247250.jpg) > “Ambition's monstrous stomach does increase By eating, and it fears to starve, unless It still may feed, and all it sees devour; Ambition is not tir'd with toll nor cloy'd with power.” [William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ambition is a voracious force that constantly seeks more, never satisfied, and resists being denied. **In simple terms:** Ambition always wants more and fears lack. Key Takeaway Balance ambition with contentment. Themes ambition desire human nature psychology Mood reflective cautionary Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - career advancement - creative projects - personal goals - leadership challenges Key Concepts greed insatiable drive self‑control Questions to Reflect On - What limits should we set on our ambitions? - How can we recognize when ambition becomes harmful? A Different Perspective Unchecked ambition can lead to burnout and ethical compromise. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Eating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eating/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) ## Related quotes > [When you traffic in monsters, that's the risk you run, that you'll find one too monstrous to stomach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/when-you-traffic-in-monsters-that-s-the-risk-you-run-that-you-ll-find/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renceray-brown/feed-your-faith-and-your-fears-will-starve-to-death/) Renceray Brown > [For tolls too briefly the sounds of mercy... 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You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/in-an-inflationary-world-a-toll-bridge-like-company-would-be-a-great/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [Jesus won't cut you off before you're through With him you won't never get a crossed line, And when your bill comes it'll all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/jesus-won-t-cut-you-off-before-you-re-through-with-him-you-won-t/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Children of the future, watching empires fall. Madness the cup they drink from, self destruction the toll.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ozzy-osbourne/children-of-the-future-watching-empires-fall-madness-the-cup-they/) [Ozzy Osbourne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ozzy-osbourne/) > [Discrimination and multiple deprivations of human rights are also frequently part of the problem, sentencing entire populations to poverty... It is surely a matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/navi-pillay/discrimination-and-multiple-deprivations-of-human-rights-are-also/) Navi Pillay > [Once you run for office, you're in it - sort of like going into the military. You'd better be damned sure it is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy-jr/once-you-run-for-office-you-re-in-it-sort-of-like-going-into-the/) [John F. Kennedy Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy-jr/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) ## More by William Davenant > [Honor is the moral conscience of the great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/honor-is-the-moral-conscience-of-the-great/) [William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) > [Actions rare and sudden do commonly proceed from fierce necessity, of else from some oblique design, which is ashamed to show itself in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/actions-rare-and-sudden-do-commonly-proceed-from-fierce-necessity-of/) [William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) > [Since knowledge is but sorrow's spy, It is not safe to know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/since-knowledge-is-but-sorrow-s-spy-it-is-not-safe-to-know/) [William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) > [Calamity is the perfect glass wherein we truly see and know ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/calamity-is-the-perfect-glass-wherein-we-truly-see-and-know-ourselves/) [William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) > [Aubade THE lark now leaves his wat'ry nest, And climbing shakes his dewy wings. He takes this window for the East, And to implore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/aubade-the-lark-now-leaves-his-wat-ry-nest-and-climbing-shakes-his/) [William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) > [Praise and Prayer PRAISE is devotion fit for mighty minds, The diff'ring world's agreeing sacrifice; Where Heaven divided faiths united finds: But Prayer in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/praise-and-prayer-praise-is-devotion-fit-for-mighty-minds-the-diff/) [William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) > [For in a dearth of comforts, we art taught To be contented with the least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/for-in-a-dearth-of-comforts-we-art-taught-to-be-contented-with-the/) [William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) > [Go! dive into the Southern Sea, and when Th'ast found, to trouble the nice sight of men, A swelling pearl, and such whose single…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/go-dive-into-the-southern-sea-and-when-th-ast-found-to-trouble-the/) [William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) > [It is the wit and policy of sin to hate those we have abused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/it-is-the-wit-and-policy-of-sin-to-hate-those-we-have-abused/) [William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) > [How beautiful is sorrow when it is dressed by virgin innocence! it makes felicity in others seem deformed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/how-beautiful-is-sorrow-when-it-is-dressed-by-virgin-innocence-it/) [William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) > [Generous souls Are still most subject to credulity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/generous-souls-are-still-most-subject-to-credulity/) [William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) > [What one cannot, another can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/what-one-cannot-another-can/) [William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) > [To be rich be diligent; move on Like heav'ns great movers that enrich the earth; Whose moment's sloth would show the world undone; And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/to-be-rich-be-diligent-move-on-like-heav-ns-great-movers-that-enrich/) [William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) > [Small are the seeds fate does unheeded sow Of slight beginnings to important ends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/small-are-the-seeds-fate-does-unheeded-sow-of-slight-beginnings-to/) [William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) > [Be not with honor's gilded baits beguil'd, Nor think ambition wise, because 'tis brave; For though we like it, as a forward child, 'Tis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/be-not-with-honor-s-gilded-baits-beguil-d-nor-think-ambition-wise/) [William Davenant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) [Explore all 29 William Davenant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/) ## 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's monstrous stomach does increase By eating, and it fears to starve, unless It still may feed, and all it sees devour; Ambition is not tir'd with toll nor cloy'd with power.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William Davenant" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/ambition-s-monstrous-stomach-does-increase-by-eating-and-it-fears-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ambition" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/ambition-s-monstrous-stomach-does-increase-by-eating-and-it-fears-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6e/william-davenant-21204_ambition_ambition-s-monstrous-stomach-does-increa_2247250.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6e/william-davenant-21204_ambition_ambition-s-monstrous-stomach-does-increa_2247250.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6e/william-davenant-21204_ambition_ambition-s-monstrous-stomach-does-increa_2247250.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Ambition's monstrous stomach does increase By eating, and it fears to starve, unless It still may feed, and…” — William Davenant", "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": "William Davenant", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davenant/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Ambition's monstrous stomach does increase By...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/ambition-s-monstrous-stomach-does-increase-by-eating-and-it-fears-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davenant/ambition-s-monstrous-stomach-does-increase-by-eating-and-it-fears-to/#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 } } ] } ```