Is ambition a bad thing?

Desiring more than one's station,
sparing no effort,
and doing everything in one's power to make a dream come true.

Movies, books, and dramas featuring such protagonists are exciting.
Seeing them face challenges repeatedly without giving up is truly inspiring.

Among them, there were those who would kick others aside to achieve their dreams.
Some achieved their dreams and gained a glorious life, while others realized that even if their dreams didn't come true, there was happiness to be found in an ordinary life.

There were even those who, no matter how many times they failed, would get back up and try to climb to the top, even if they had to crawl.

Ambition.

That inner flame that can sometimes be a source of strength and other times lead to one's ruin.

I wonder if everyone has held such a thing in their heart at least once in their life.

Vanity Fair

There is an unforgettable drama called "Vanity Fair."

The English title is Vanity Fair.
It is a drama based on Thackeray's novel of the same name, translated as 'Kyoei no Ichi' (Vanity Fair).

Set in early 19th-century England, the story begins with Rebecca (Becky) leaving her boarding school.

It is the story of Becky, a girl of humble birth with no backing, who tries to climb into high society using her beauty, wit, and acting ability.
Writing it like that makes it sound a bit cliché, but as it is considered a work that satirizes British wealthy society, it was a drama with many thought-provoking points.
I just love stories like this.

The superficial conversations of the aristocracy, their elitism. Their vanity.
And money.
The ambitions and desires of all kinds of people in various positions intersect.

It was a little different from the typical 'rags-to-riches' story, and in a good way, it betrayed my expectations many times.

Inspired by the protagonist Becky's ambition, it was the kind of drama that made me want to do my best as well.
Although I have a pile of unread books, I would like to read the original 'Vanity Fair' as well.

Is ambition a staff to keep one from giving up?

Ambition.

Depending on how it is used, this word can be perceived as either good or bad.
That is why I am cautious when using it.

Becky tries to create a 'stepping stone to rise up' by using not only her schoolmate Amelia, who grew up in a more privileged environment than she did, but even Amelia's family.

Carefully but boldly, so as not to let her 'ambition' be noticed.
After that, she continues to capture people's hearts by ingratiating herself with her inherent cleverness and charming them with her beauty.
She spares no effort.

What drives her is the ambition to climb even higher.

Must one accept for their entire life being looked down upon by others for reasons beyond their control, such as the 'environment they were born into'?
If one lives correctly and honestly, will they always be rewarded?

There were parts of Becky's unscrupulous behavior that made me want to frown.
But for some reason, I find myself rooting for her.
That is because she is always pushing forward with her mind fully engaged, sparing no effort.

Effort.
It is the driving force to push forward along the path indicated by ambition.

Becky does not use other people's misfortune as motivation, nor does she intentionally try to bring others down.
Rather, if she has the time and energy to unnecessarily kick others down, she uses it for herself.
She is trying to survive by using herself for her own happiness, and is working hard solely for her own ideals.

What is always there in that unyielding heart is ambition.

Ambition was necessary for her to survive.
It even looked as if she was somehow managing to survive by being spurred on by ambition.

Ambition might be a staff for the heart to keep from giving up.

Just holding a wish in your heart doesn't start anything.
Even the Disney princesses who used to just wait for a prince to appear are all carving out their own paths in recent series.

What should one do to climb to the top?
One has no choice but to take action oneself.

To achieve something, one has no choice but to keep moving forward.

Even if you have ambition, if it is not accompanied by effort, you cannot make your dreams come true.

Is ambition a bad thing?

Is what I am lacking ambition, or is it effort?

There are as many desires as there are people.
Ambition is what spurs you on, refusing to lose to the desires of others.

I had a somewhat negative image of the word 'ambition,' but I feel that if used correctly, it can become your greatest ally.

"Ambition is a mental staff to keep you from giving up."
I have written this phrase down in the corner of my notebook.

A notebook that has been on my mind since last year.

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