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Ambition: Quotations from Shakespearian Quotations

The very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.— H. ii. 2.

I hold ambition of so airy and light a quality, that it is but a shadow's shadow.— H. ii. 2.

'Tis a common proof That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, Whereto the climber upward turns his face; But when he once attains the upmost round, He then unto the ladder turns his back, Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees By which he did ascend.— J. C. ii. 4

Ye gods, it doth amaze me, A man of such a feeble temper should So get the start of the majestic world, And bear the palm alone.— J. C. i. 2.

What see'st thou there? King Henry's diadem, Enchas'd with all the honours of the world? If so, gaze on, and grovel on thy face, Until thy head be circled with the same. Put forth thy hand, reach at the glorious gold :- What, is't too short? I'll lengthen it with mine : And, having both together heav'd it up, We'll both together lift our heads to heaven; And never more abase our sight so low, As to vouchsafe one glance unto the ground,— H. VI. PT. II. i. 2.

That is a step, On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, For in my way it lies.— M. i. 4

I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself, And falls on t'other side.— M. i. 7

The devil speed him! no man's pie is freed From his ambitious finger.— H. VIII. i. 1

Follow I must, I cannot go before, While Glo'ster bears this base and humble mind. Were I a man, a duke, and next of blood, I would remove these tedious stumbling blocks, And smooth my way upon their headless necks.— H. VI. PT. II. i. 2

Two stars keep not their motion in one sphere ; Nor can one England brook a double reign, Of Harry Percy and the Prince of Wales.— H. IV. PT. II v. 4

The noble Brutus Hath told you Cæsar was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievous fault; And grievously hath Cæsar answered it.— J. C. iii. 2.

Defeated

People, and senators! be not affrighted; Fly not; stand still :-ambition's debt is paid. J. C. iii.

Alloy, Universal, In This Probationary Life

Unruly blasts wait on the tender spring, Unwholesome weeds take root with precious flowers; The adder hisseth where the sweet birds sing; Poems. What virtue breeds, iniquity devours.