About Ambition
"He who sacrifices his conscience to ambition burns a picture to obtain the ashes." - Chinese Proverb
Ambition is what motivates one to act in a certain way or achieve a certain goal. It is similar to aspiration, desire, and eagerness in that it triggers a behavior; it sets a goal for one to strive for. For example, a student that has the ambition to get into an Ivy League university will try to be diligent in his high school studies. He will strive and aim for the academic success. His ambition is what drives him to commit himself to his goal.
The importance of ambition can vary in different circumstances. Although ambition can be a powerful motivator, it can also narrowly focus one's attention towards an exclusive goal, thereby turning him into a parochial individual. Continuing on with the example mentioned above, it is good that the student has this ambition to be successful in his studies. It motivates the student to really put in the effort. However, this benign ambition can become malignant as the student begins to prioritize his studies over his ethics and moral principles. The student may begin to remain aloof from his friends, thereby impairing his social relationships, or he may even refuse to spend some time with his family because he is too stubborn with his studies. Ambition is crucial in our lives as it sets objectives for us; however, it is also important that we prevent it from overpowering our principles.
My personal ambition is just to be happy in the future. I do not hope to become the CEO of some multi-millionaire corporation, but I do not hope to live miserably under boardwalks or in alleyways either. I am ambitious to attend a decent university, earn a stable job, and live in a happy family. To achieve these things, I must continue to invest the adequate amount of effort into my studies and continue to gain experience in and knowledge about the world.
Having an ambition can effect in good or bad consequences. On its benign side, it can motivate and stir one to strive for the goals set for him. It encourages a meaningful and adventurous life. On its malignant side, it can narrow one's outlook on the world as all his effort and concentration are directed exclusively towards one goal. Such circumstance can turn the person into a parochial, self-centered individual.