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 is indeed a desirable thing to be well-descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors.
It's a travesty that people have forced someone who is gay to have to make their case that they deserve the same basic rights...
Why are people born? Why do they die? Why do they want to spend so much of the intervening time wearing digital watches?
To a wise and good man the whole earth is his fatherland.
I had it then. Soda fought for fun, Steve for hatred, Darry for pride, and Two-Bit for conformity. Why do I fight? I thought, and couldn't think of any real good reason. There isn't any real good reason for fighting except self-defense.
Liberty is the harmony between the will and the law.
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