I believe that dreams - day dreams, you know, with your eyes wide open and your brain machinery whizzing - are likely to lead to the betterment of the world.
L. Frank BaumRead
A curious thing about Ugu the Shoemaker was that he didn't suspect in the least that he was wicked. He wanted to be powerful and great, and he hoped to make himself master of all the Land of Oz that he might compel everyone in that fairy country to obey him, His ambition blinded him to the rights of others, and he imagined anyone else would act just as he did if anyone else happened to be as clever as himself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Ambition can blind individuals to morality and the rights of others.
This quote reflects on the nature of ambition and the potential for moral blindness it can cause. Ugu the Shoemaker, despite his wickedness and desire for power, fails to recognize the impact of his actions on others, illustrating how unchecked ambition can distort one's perception of right and wrong, leading to a selfish worldview where one believes others would act similarly if given the chance.
Themes
AmbitionMoralityPowerSelfishnessBlindness
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on the impact of ambition in leadership roles.
More from L. Frank Baum
All quotes →I am Oz, the Great and Terrible," spoke the Beast, in a voice that was one great roar. Who are you, and why do you seek me?
L. Frank BaumRead
You have plenty of courage, I am sure," answered Oz. "All you need is confidence in yourself. There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty.
L. Frank BaumRead
That proves you are unusual,' returned the Scarecrow; 'and I am convinced that the only people worthy of consideration in this world are the unusual ones. For the common folks are like the leaves of a tree, and live and die unnoticed.
L. Frank BaumRead
Everything in life is unusual until you get accustomed to it -The Scarecrow - The Marvellous Land Of Oz by L. Frank Baum pg 103 chapter 13
L. Frank BaumRead
Oh, I see;" said the Tin Woodman. "But, after all, brains are not the best things in the world." Have you any?" enquired the Scarecrow. No, my head is quite empty," answered the Woodman; "but once I had brains, and a heart also; so, having tried them both, I should much rather have a heart.
L. Frank BaumRead
Similar quotes
A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit.
D. Elton TruebloodRead
The point of literary criticism in anthropology is not to replace research, but to find out how it is that we are persuasive.
Clifford GeertzRead
Pride is one of the socially acceptable sins in some corners of the evangelical culture. It's just straight-out ego gratification - how important I am; whether my name gets on the building or on the TV program or in the magazine article.
Richard FosterRead
First causes are outside the realm of science.
Claude BernardRead
Skepticism relieved two terrible diseases that afflicted mankind: anxiety and dogmatism.
Sextus EmpiricusRead
The highwayman takes solely upon himself the responsibility, danger, and crime of his own act. He does not pretend that he has any rightful claim to your money, or that he intends to use it for your own benefit ... Furthermore, having taken your money, he leaves you, as you wish him to do ... He does not keep "protecting" you by commanding you to bow down and serve him; by requiring you to do this, and forbidding you to do that.
Lysander SpoonerRead