"Ambition has one heel nailed in well, though she stretch her fingers to touch the heavens"
- Lao Tzu
About this Quote
This quote by Lao Tzu talks to the idea that aspiration is an effective force, but it is also limited. The expression "one heel nailed in well" suggests that ambition is rooted in reality and is unable to transcend it entirely. No matter just how much ambition drives us to grab the stars, we are still bound by the constraints of our physical and psychological abilities. We can pursue greatness, but we must likewise accept that there are certain borders that can not be crossed. This quote functions as a suggestion that ambition is a powerful tool, but it ought to not be utilized to the point of recklessness. We should aim to reach our goals, but we must also bear in mind our limitations and be realistic about what we can and can not accomplish.
"One has children in the expectation of dying before them. In fact, you want to make damn sure you die before them, just as you plant a tree or build a house knowing, hoping that it will outlive you. That's how the human species has done as well as it has"
