Ambition is defined by the great philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas as an “inordinate love of honour” and an “excess of magnanimity.”
Thomas Aquinas sees it as a dangerous vice. Something that is good but something that when you have too much of it, is harmful.
Seeking to make the best of your skills and talents is a noble thing, but doing it for pride and honour is disordered.
However, rightly ordered ambition, also known as magnanimity, is about seeking greatness but doing it with humility.
This is extremely beneficial.
The Benefits of Ambition
Our culture rejects ambition and teaches that it leads to greed and privilege.
In excess, it can lead to those things. But we would be unwise to reject ambition altogether.
When controlled and directed in service of others, ambition can help you and others.
The most important benefit is that it allows you to become all that you have the capacity to become. It allows you to fulfil your skills and talents and deploy your intelligence and your labour at the service of your family and society.
It allows you to push through the hardship and the burdens that come with greatness and drives you to keep going when you would be tempted to seek the easy road.
The Downsides of Ambition
The downside of ambition is when you let it get to your head and become greedy.
When it becomes about honour and glory and fame, rather than about humbly becoming the best you can be.
When external validation becomes more important than service, you have fallen into a trap.
Recognition is natural when your ambition drives you to achieve things that others value. But it should be the side effect of a job well done rather than the motivator.
Why It Is Important To Have A Healthy Ambition
A healthy ambition will keep you happy and sane.
You will be somewhat detached from the outcomes of your work and activities and more focused on doing the best that you can do. You will accept that the chips will fall where they may.
You will have gratitude for the person you are, the experiences you have had, the people in your life and the opportunities that have come your way.
You will be able to stop and smell the roses but at the same time desire more.
How To Overcome a Lack of Ambition
You might lack ambition because you fear failure or low self-esteem. Or you might lack ambition because somewhere along the way you convinced yourself it was bad.
But ambition can be learned. You can become ambitious even if you aren’t right now.
You can overcome a lack of ambition by doing the work to recognise your fears and insecurities.
You can take the time to figure out what it is that you want and give yourself permission to dream big.
And instead of worrying about ambition or lack thereof, you can focus on growing in the virtue of magnanimity, where you seek to develop your greatness in humble way.
Conclusion
Ambition is magnanimity to excess.
The excess part isn’t good for you but the magnanimity is.
It is about rejecting mediocrity and aspiring to fulfil the potential of all your talents and gifts.
