CURATED COLLECTION

Balancing Ambition and Contentment

The tension between wanting more and appreciating what you have is one of the oldest human problems.

47 quotes found

“
Observe due measure, for right timing is in all things the most important.

—HesiodEpic Poet

Ancient World ERA • Southern Europe

“
Work is no disgrace: it is idleness which is a disgrace.

—HesiodEpic Poet

Ancient World ERA • Southern Europe

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There is no greater wealth than to be free from fault.

—TiruvalluvarPoet, Philosopher & Author

Ancient World ERA • South Asia

“
From truth, resolve. From resolve, work. From work, fruit.

—Chandogya UpanishadAuthor & Thinker

Ancient World ERA • South Asia

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When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you.

—LaoziPhilosopher & Author

Ancient World ERA • East Asia

“
Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.

—OvidPoet

Ancient World ERA • Southern Europe

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First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

—EpictetusPhilosopher

Ancient World ERA • Southern Europe

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Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere.

—KautilyaPhilosopher & Economist

Ancient World ERA • South Asia

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I think it's very important to reason from first principles rather than by analogy.

—Elon MuskEntrepreneur & Engineer

Digital Age ERA • North America

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Power is a means to achieve security and prosperity.

—KautilyaPhilosopher & Economist

Ancient World ERA • South Asia

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Badness you can get easily, in quantity; the road is smooth and near. But goodness comes with effort.

—HesiodEpic Poet

Ancient World ERA • Southern Europe

“
With every passing year, the education you have becomes more valuable.

—Lee Kuan YewScholar & Thinker

Digital Age ERA • Southeast Asia

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All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.

—Baruch SpinozaPhilosopher

Renaissance ERA • Western Europe

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To be truly free is to be free from concern for outcomes.

—ZhuangziPhilosopher

Ancient World ERA • East Asia

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Progress is simply a function of how much energy you apply to a problem.

—Elon MuskEntrepreneur & Engineer

Digital Age ERA • North America

“
Ambition without strategy is just a wish.

—Kemi AdetibaKing

Digital Age ERA • West Africa

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Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of you as they will.

—PythagorasPhilosopher & Mathematician

Ancient World ERA • Southern Europe

“
The successful warrior is the average man, with laser‑like focus.

—Bruce LeeMartial Artist & Philosopher

Post-War ERA • East Asia

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You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but not to the fruits of your actions.

—Bhagavad GitaAuthor & Thinker

Ancient World ERA • South Asia

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If you find an opponent, a man of power who is your superior, bow.

—PtahhotepPharaoh

Pre-Ancient ERA • North Africa

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