Ambition as a Virtue

977 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The Tragedy Of Ambition

As renowned Greek philosopher Heraclitus put it, “Big results require big ambitions” (Heraclitus). Ambition, the very thought of the word brings a dissatisfied taste in millions of people mouths. But why does this virtue have such a horrific label? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that ambition has inspired some of the world’s most powerful and influential human beings, whether from India or America, preacher or intellect, nun or slave, ambition has helped shape and reshape our planet and continues to build legacies, modern marvels, and motivate massive change. If you really think about it, ambition is a perfect combination of every virtue from determination to patience to kindness. So why do we continue to hold on to this imaginary idea that all ambition is selfish and unnecessary. We have to eradicate this idea and get back to the basics and realize that ambition is unselfish, necessary, and beneficial to every single man, woman, and child. Ambition is a fundamental virtue that has helped shape our culture, historical heroes, and even some of the world’s most dominating religions. We should take a good look at our history and realize that ambition is something we should aim to attain again. First of all, ambition has helped inspire some of history’s most recognizable and cultivating figures. Ambition has provoked ordinary people to do extraordinary things that have left indelible marks on humanity. Fredrick Douglas went from being a slave to a powerful intellect, prominent abolitionist, and presidential advisor. Martin Luther King Jr. knew he was going to “turn this world upside down” long before he became a world famous leader (Farris 27). Even the dear Mother Teresa had to show ambition; Mother Teresa became an Ind... ... middle of paper ... ...on "Multimedia." Ambition. Islamweb, 18 Jan. 2012. Web. 04 Apr. 2014. Show islam support of ambition O'Donoghue, Danny. "Hall of Fame (song)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 04 Mar. 2014. Web. 04 Apr. 2014. modern song describing mbition Rubin, Courtney. "The Route to Happiness BY Courtney Rubin." Inc.com. Mansueto, 2014. Web. 04 Apr. 2014. Statistics supporting ambition Tilton, Rafael. Mother Teresa. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 2000. Print. Used to show a peaceful historical figures ambition "Top 10 Greatest Songs About Ambition." Web log post. Untitled, Top 10 Greatest Songs About Ambition. Wealthyroute, n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2014. To show medias perception on ambition Wangu, Madhu Bazaz. Hinduism. New York: Facts on File, 1991. Print. Jivan mukti= ambition "Why Ambition Is Bad." Calvin Correli RSS. Wirdpress, 6 Apr. 2011. Web. 04 Apr. 2014. Counter argument for ambition

Show More
Related

  • The Overachievers, by Alexandra Robbins

    2330 Words  | 5 Pages

    Thomas, Cathy Booth. "The Push To Be Perfect." Time International (Canada Edition) 166.6 (2005): 44. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 2 Dec. 2013.

    Read More

  • Transformity In 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest'

    1034 Words  | 3 Pages

    Kesey demonstrates in his novel “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” that all individuals will “get (their) visions through whatever gate (they’re) granted” (pg 281) but only few will go against the system in order to attain personal ambitions that have the power to leave a legacy for others to

    Read More

  • Ambition in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Macbeth by William Shakespeare

    883 Words  | 2 Pages

    Any goal in life is achieved through ambition, fueled by determination, desire and hard work. Ambition maybe a driving force to success or to a pit of failure, the path chosen by an individual determines the end. Remember that any goal to be fulfilled needs desire, desire that strives to do good or greedy desire that is selfish. Also the actions that contribute to our ‘hard work’ need to be morally and ethically right to enjoy the sweet success. However, when the desire and determination is stronger than conscience, many tend to fail often reach or don’t reach what they strived for, leaving them emotionally or even physically dead. The inner lying consequence of ambition is clearly stated by Napoleon, he quotes “Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principals which direct them”. The undesirable consequence of ambition can be observed in the lives of the protagonists of ‘The Great Gatsby and Macbeth. This describes the direction in which ambition is driven could change the end result, it is simply based on the individual itself rather than the dream they seek to achieve. Therefore, the strong drive of ambition helps the seeker attain their goal but greedy desires and wrong paths taken eventually lead to downfall.

    Read More

  • The Achievement of Desire, by Richard Rodriguez

    1222 Words  | 3 Pages

    Rodriguez, Richard. "The Achievement of Desire." Petrosky, Anthony and David Bartholomae. Ways of Reading An Anthology for Writers. Boston ; New York: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2010. 516-532.

    Read More

  • Human Nature In William Golding's Lord Of The Flies

    936 Words  | 2 Pages

    ambition can be a slaver, just like the elders.Over time, people tend to be predisposed to

    Read More

  • Macduff Foil In Macbeth

    1742 Words  | 4 Pages

    Since the beginning of mankind, it has been the need to attain a specific goal, which has driven humans to work hard. Without any ambition, humans would not be inspired to overcome adversities and challenge themselves to become increasingly adaptable. When one is motivated by certain factors in their environment, the probability of them being satisfied with the results of their deeds depends on the moral value of their inspiration. If the individual is aware of the fact that their deed is immoral, then no matter how dire their circumstances which forced them to perform the actions, they will not be content. The irony establishes itself in the fact that those characters who are motivated by a cause bigger than themselves, tend to be happier,

    Read More

  • Preoccupation And Somnambulism: A Comparative Analysis

    158 Words  | 1 Pages

    In “How Not to Get Into College: The Preoccupation with Preparation” and “Somnambulist” the authors reflect on how individuals in today’s society are pursuing extrinsic goals rather than intrinsic goals. Individuals often pursue extrinsic goals because it causes them to feel temporary happiness; also corporations and board directors create a system which causes individuals to pursue the goals of the company or organization, rather than individuals pursuing their own personal goals. Individuals that are being motivated extrinsically by short periods of happiness or by systematic company designs, find themselves morally unsatisfied or numb to society due to them not fulfilling their own goals. Both Alfie Kohn and Heron Jones suggest in their

    Read More

  • Ambitions Self-Destruction In Shakespeare's Macbeth And Adolf Hitler

    1089 Words  | 3 Pages

    The concept of ambition as seen in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Adolf Hitler’s rule of Nazi Germany is the cause for both the rise and downfall of those whose ambition consumed them. When an individual or group is ambitious in gaining power by immoral ways, there is little to do to stop them from trying to achieve their goals. In Shakespeare’s time, those higher up in society such as nobles, wealthy land owners, and those of royal blood were constantly in search of more and more and would do whatever it took to obtain their desires. Macbeth was written to show how ones ambitions can over take morals and delude right and wrong. One of the most infamous men

    Read More

  • Greed In Paul Thomas Anderson's Movie 'There Will Be Blood'

    1150 Words  | 3 Pages

    Progress, being defined as a “forward or onward movement toward a destination”, has been, and still is a continuous theme seen in America driven by a multitude of motives – a predominant motivation being “greed” (Andy Buckle 1), and the lust for power and success. In Paul Thomas Anderson's film There Will be Blood, and through Andy Buckle’s critical analysis of the movie, the theme of a perpetual desire to gain success due to greed is evident through the main character Daniel Plainville, a man of “gritty determination” who goes “extreme lengths to become a success” (Buckle 1) by displaying a false image of a family man through his “presentation of self” (Erving Goffman 101) in which he exhibited for the soul purpose of manipulating others around him to make money by drilling up oil. “Greedy and ruthless business tyrants” (Buckle 1) such as Daniel, who will stop at no cost for the progression of money and success, are still present in American civilization today, such as businessmen behind advertisements whom sacrifice the health of models and viewers of society, just to make a dollar.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Ambition Essay

    1192 Words  | 3 Pages

    What is the cost of ambition? For as long as history tells, ambition was a way for people to move forward with their lives and advance past others. Whether it means competing for a promotion or fighting to stay alive, this emotion gives people the motivation and perseverance to work through their obstacles and reach their goal. Although ambition allows many great opportunities and rewards, it can create selfish, egocentric people who do not take much consideration of others. Ultimately, if ambition consumes one’s thoughts and desires, their actions will not only cause chaos within themselves, but also within the lives of the people around them. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, ambition played a significant role throughout the play. Lady Macbeth was

    Read More

  • Perfection Anxiety Analysis

    721 Words  | 2 Pages

    This to most is the goal, what is strived for to achieve in the span of a lifetime, but for those who have and those who seek to have, the perspective greatly differs. To the lower class citizens of the world, what more could one want than to have achieved the pinnacle of wealth. A person no longer wants for anything, one simply has and can have more. The epitome of contentment and endless possibilities. This is not the case however for those in the position of having such means. Gill uses the quote “When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain he wept, for there were no worlds to conquer.” in comparison to the life of people suffering from perfection anxiety. To make having everything possible, one most no longer have anything left to obtain. Without a goal or an ambition to strive for there is a prominent lack of purpose to one’s life, painting a rather depthless view of the inside life of the incredibly

    Read More

  • Illusion vs. Reality in Macbeth

    1741 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...rn day society, illusive ambitions can be incredibly detrimental, just as they are demonstrated to be in Macbeth. Ambitions, if they are untamed, can be an impediment to free will; they can overpower your good conscience, possibly leading you into causing death and destruction. They can also corrupt one’s mental health, while practically morphing that person’s perception of reality into something demonstrably wrong and twisted. Finally, they can boost ones ego to a point where that person is engulfed and imprisoned in the vehemence of their own denial, which can ultimately bear fatal consequences. If one’s hopes and desires are innately destructive, then it logically follows that that one’s ambition is also innately destructive; be wary of one with an immense ambition.

    Read More

  • Barack Obama: A More Perfect Union

    1102 Words  | 3 Pages

    King, Martin L., Jr. "I Have a Dream." Archives.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2013.

    Read More

  • Vaulting Ambition in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    433 Words  | 1 Pages

    Ambition can be a positive thing or a negative thing. It is a positive thing when it helps you reach a certain goal and strive for something that is good. It is a negative thing when you let it take over, and you lose track of your original goal, and forget about your morals and about everyone around you. The only thing you care about is what you want, and you will do anything in your power to get it. This happens frequently in our world.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Sheryl Sandberg In Order To Be A Successful Women

    871 Words  | 2 Pages

    Being ambitious is something women should be proud of. For example, In Dawn Jefferson and Rosanne Welch article “Ambitious and proud of it!”, they both remark “If you 're like many women, you probably keep your ambition under wraps, worried that you 'll be labeled ruthless, even selfish, if you talk openly about what you want. But here 's a news flash: Having ambition-and letting others know it-is essential for a satisfying life, writes psychiatrist Anna Pels, MD, in her insightful book Necessary Dreams: Ambition in Women 's Changing Lives” (39) I also disagree with hooks because instead of blaming the system, lets be realistic and talk about what we are able to achieve in the current system. Richard Dorment, the author of “Why Men Still Can’t Have It All” he writes, “If you don 't want a high-pressure, high power, high-paying job that forces you to make unacceptable sacrifices in the rest of your life, don 't take the job. Or get another job that doesn 't require those sacrifices.”(716) On the other hand, I agree with Ullman because being successful gives us the choice to be wherever is comfortable for us. In the movie “ The Devil Wears Prada”(2006) by director David Frankel, Andrea Sachs (Anne Hathaway) choose to lean in and change herself in order to work for the editor-in-chief of American Runway Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), but in the end of the movie Andrea decide to leave her job because as much as successful she is, she is not happy. While Andrea and Miranda were in the car, Andrea said “What if this is not what I want, I mean what If I don 't want to live the way you live” Miranda respond “don 't be ridicules Andrea everybody wants this, everybody want to be us” Andrea leave the car, reject Miranda phone call and through out the phone with a big smile of success and victory in her

    Read More

More about Ambition as a Virtue

Open Document