"Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them"

Napoleon Bonaparte draws a powerful connection between the magnitude of a person’s ambition and the quality of their character. Individuals who possess great ambition are marked by an intense and fervent drive, which is an inseparable part of their personalities. Ambition, in his view, is not merely a personal goal or an aspiration; it is a passion, something intrinsic that defines those of “great character.” The very force that propels an individual to aim higher and strive for significant achievements is the same force that can raise them to greatness or drag them into notoriety.

However, Napoleon introduces a critical distinction: ambition is inherently neutral. Possession of this mighty passion does not guarantee moral virtue or positive outcomes. Instead, ambition serves as raw potential, a formidable energy that can be channeled in disparate directions. History is replete with examples of ambitious individuals whose actions have shaped the world, for better or worse. Great ambition has enabled acts of heroism, innovative breakthroughs, and societal transformation, just as it has driven conquests, oppression, and destruction.

The determining factor for the outcomes of ambition, Napoleon emphasizes, lies in the principles that guide the ambitious person. Principles act as a moral compass, providing direction and boundaries for the expression of ambition. They shape intentions and choices, defining whether an individual’s ambition manifests in benevolent leadership, altruism, and progress, or descends into selfishness, tyranny, and harm. Thus, ambition does not exalt or corrupt on its own; it magnifies the underlying values, beliefs, and ethical standards of the individual who possesses it.

True greatness, therefore, is not simply a product of intense desire or relentless striving. It is the product of ambition united with sound principles. Only when ambition is directed by integrity, empathy, and wisdom does it reach its highest and most beneficial potential, lifting not just the individual but society as a whole.