Ambition is a gilded misery, a secret poison, a hidden plague, the engineer of deceit, the mother of hypocrisy, the parent of envy, the original of vices, the moth of holiness, the blinder of hearts, turning medicines into maladies, and remedies into diseases.
Interpretation
Ambition can lead to negative consequences, corrupting one's morals and causing distress.
This quote by Thomas Brooks reflects on the darker side of ambition, suggesting that while it is often seen as a driving force for success, it can also lead to various vices like deceit, hypocrisy, and envy. Brooks portrays ambition as a double-edged sword that can transform good intentions into harmful outcomes, highlighting the importance of being mindful of one's aspirations and their potential impact on morality and well-being.
In practice
In a discussion about the nature of ambition in a career development seminar.
Remember this-all the sighing, mourning, sobbing, and complaining in the world, does not so undeniably evidence a man to be humble, as his overlooking his own righteousness, and living really and purely upon the righteousness of Christ.
Grace and glory differ very little; the one is the seed, the other is the flower; grace is glory militant, glory is grace triumphant.
He is the best preacher, not that tickles the ear, but that breaks the heart.
Ah! sinner, remember this, there is no way on earth effectually to be rid of the guilt, filth, and power of sin, but by believing in a Saviour. It is not resolving, it is not complaining, it is not mourning, but believing, that will make thee divinely victorious over that body of sin that to this day is too strong for thee, and that will certainly be thy ruin, if it be not ruined by a hand of faith.
Self is the only oil that makes the chariot-wheels of the hypocrite move in all religious concerns.
Humility can weep over other men's weaknesses, and joy and rejoice over their graces.
It's hard for a Jew of my generation, an American Jew, who is philo-Zionistic, not to romanticize Israel.
Mary's greatness consists in the fact that she wants to magnify God, not herself.
The Puritans left England for America not because they couldn't be Puritans in their mother country, but because they were not allowed to force others to become Puritans; in the New World, of course, they could and did.
Let it crumble! Let the rocks revile me and flowers wilt at my coming. Your whole universe is not enough to prove me wrong. You are the king of gods, king of stones and stars, king of the waves of the sea. But you are not the king of man.
There are having flowers in Spring, breezes in Summer, moon in Autumn, snows in Winter. If there is nothing worrying over you, it will be the best seasons at all times.
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.