"At the age of six I wanted to be a cook. At seven I wanted to be Napoleon. And my ambition has been growing steadily ever since"

Salvador Dali’s statement traces the evolution of his aspirations from childhood to adulthood with an undercurrent of wit and irony. At six, his desire to be a cook suggests a simple, tangible ambition fueled perhaps by curiosity or pleasure in immediate, sensory experiences such as food. It reflects the innocence and straightforwardness of a child’s world, where dreams are concrete and achievable.

By seven, Dali no longer aspires to a practical everyday profession but sets his sights on the historical and grandiose, wanting to be Napoleon. In a mere year, his ambition expands tremendously, embracing conquest, power, and a name synonymous with extraordinary achievement, megalomania, and historical impact. This leap shows the explosive growth of both imagination and the ego, a step from the ordinary to the extraordinary, from serving a meal to ruling an empire. The progression also hints at a child’s recognition of status and the allure of making a significant mark on the world.

When Dali adds that "my ambition has been growing steadily ever since", the implication is both humorous and revealing. His ambitions have not plateaued but continue escalating beyond bounds, suggesting that with age comes not the taming of dreams but their intensification. This remark also satirizes the concept of ambition itself, poking fun at the ever-increasing grandiosity that can come with self-confidence and creativity. For Dali, a master of surrealism and self-promotion, the suggestion is that a true artist’s vision knows no limits; it grows wilder and more outrageous, always seeking new heights.

Underneath the humor lies a deeper message about the importance of never limiting oneself, continually allowing one’s ambitions and imagination to expand. For Dali, and perhaps for anyone who dreams, the trajectory of ambition is infinite, driven by boundless curiosity and a refusal to accept boundaries.