In the never ending battle to evaluate, deconstruct and understand the various lies, recidivisms and mythologies that inform our lives the dual nature of our character becomes clearer. From the false idea that the Civil War was fought over ” states rights” to the ideas of American Exceptionalism to the myth of the self made man, we have been sold various bills of goods that do not stand close scrutiny. One of my favorite falsehoods is the idea that we should be ambitious. We are programmed to value power, wealth, fame and honor as though the attainment of these things is always a valid goal.
Ambition is a curious thing among a storm of curiosities. The poet Maya Angelou give a good insight into the actual value of ambition:” the desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.”
For thousands of years ambition has been the highway to tragedy. Ceasar’s quest for power, wealth and honor leads to multiple perforations and the myth of Deadalus and Icarus leads to a deadly crash. I think I agree with Abraham Lincoln who said, “I’d rather be a little nobody, than to be an evil somebody.” All around us we see the horrible aftereffects of ambition that lacks humanity. We have a rage to DO and ACHIEVE that is not tempered by common sense. Our lack of perspective on the entire idea of striving can lead us to the ultimate irony that is a wasted life.
The need to accumulate wealth, for the sake of wealth reveals much about character. The aggrandizement of riches -as an end in itself- was understood from ancient times to be the height of stupidity. Aristotle commented that, ” the truth is that men’s ambition and the desire to make money are among the the most frequent causes of deliberate acts of injustice.” Wars, destructive political campaigns, bilking pastors and the ugliness of mindless capitalism are well known to us as we see the actions of people who never have enough.
Honor is a moveable feast. Those qualities that lead to fame today might kill us tomorrow. We may not be stabbed to death in the roman senate but the praise we hear today can morph in an instant into disgust and murderous rage. All glory is fleeting.
Power can easily destroy the person who wields it. We know the stories of the mighty Seventh Cavalry or the arrogance of the Pharaohs …the deadliness of the hubristic overreach.
I am aware that humans are above all, strivers. Ambition that works always has a solid foundation in humanity; the search for the cure, the beauty of altruism and other centeredness are forms of ambition that actually work. Death will sort this out for us. Is there anything you can, “take with you?” Power, fame, wealth and honor will be buried with you but your true legacy will be measured in kindnesses, selfless acts and in your manifested desire to reach hearts.
I can no longer accept the virtues of ambition at face value. Gravestones never say He Was Number One On The Fortune 500 but they often say Loving Father, Beloved Friend, Dear Mother. We need to understand our personal ambitions and assess if the game we are playing is actually worth the candle. Be missed when you are gone because you meant something to somebody. Other forms of ambition are simply pitiful.
Strive to reach hearts and you will be wise.
Olio Folio 