). Love for honors, thirst for honors, desire for them. A man of great ambition.


Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov. D.N. Ushakov. 1935-1940.


Synonyms:

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It often happens that a person is completely captured by a new business. All his thoughts are completely occupied with how to succeed. Having not yet conquered great heights, he already anticipates the joy that the achievement of the goal should bring. This quality is called ambition.

Ambition: what is itlike this?

To say this concept is rather difficult. Ambition is most often understood as the desire for honors, glory and a high position in society. There are many who want to get such a result, however, not everyone can admit it. The reason for this is quite prosaic: such people are simply afraid of condemnation from society. After all, such a quality, as a rule, is identified with a painful desire for fame. Many people think: ambition - what is it really?

It is difficult to make a portrait of an ambitious person, since his appearance and behavior can be very diverse. Outwardly, such a person can behave extremely modestly and unassumingly. Often his ambition is a secret knowledge with which he is not ready to share with others.

Ambition: what is itand what is its use?

In fact, ambition can be both healthy and painful. All people who have achieved success in one area or another are unequivocally ambitious. They are attracted by the process of achieving a goal and gaining recognition. This property acts as a good motivator. It does not allow a person to go astray, even when it is difficult for him. But for a person who has a healthy ambition, fame will play a special role. It will be something like a pleasant bonus to the efforts made and nothing more.

Vanity and ambition

Another thing is when the desire to rest on our laurels becomes an end in itself. This quality is called vanity. Such a person is not interested in the fruits of his activities, he does not care what benefit he will bring to others by his actions. Sometimes the vain act even to the detriment of himself. A striking example of such a desire for empty glory are the stars of show business. Many of them are ready to put everything on the altar for the sake of recognition: love, family and health.

The difference between a vain person and an ambitious person is that an ambitious person will never give up his moral convictions for the sake of glory. A vain individual is ready to step over himself for the sake of recognition.

It turns out that there is a rather thin line between ambition and vanity, which is very easy to break. Ambition is a very vague and ambiguous definition.

If it is healthy, then this is a quality that should be present in everyone. The presence of such motivation makes people conquer new heights. This is the desire to do something better than others, to succeed in some business.

Ultimately ambition - what is it? In simple words, such a property is the desire to be successful and respected for the efforts made. Diligence, self-confidence, perseverance - this is not a complete list of the characteristics of an ambitious person. If you direct all these qualities in the right direction, then this property will be your trump card, and not a vice.

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Ambition is a person's desire to get a high position, certain honors, to achieve visible success, recognized by the environment and ideally having a specific dimension, expressed in grades, numbers, awards, trophies. For an ambitious person, it is important to have the highest results. The concept of ambition is revealed through its two roots and denotes the love of honor.

Ambition meaning of the word is synonymous with vanity. In its extreme expression, ambition can aspire to greed, which, however, is closely connected with the acquisition of precisely material benefits, while vanity and ambition use specific physical benefits only indirectly.

What is ambition

An ambitious person himself can be aware that wherever he finds himself, everywhere he is ready to impose his own rules, even on people whom he has just come to know. Recognition of a mistake brings him painful sensations, the thought that he deserves more does not leave him. An ambitious person wants to have no competitors in any field other than himself. for him there is an engine of progress, a means to achieve personal goals. Such a person does not stop at what has been achieved, constantly strives for more, and, therefore, becomes stronger, ready to work more and improve.

Vanity and ambition make the individual selfish and even unpleasant to others. takes possession of a person and makes him look at the world from a distorted angle. ceases to meet the current conditions. It already seems to a person that he has the right to impose his opinion on others, he becomes quarrelsome in a team, it is difficult for him to find a common language with his environment. The thirst for success forces us to enter into a deal with conscience, to go over our heads for the sake of victory. Such individuals often end up achieving their goals, but remain lonely, with an abundance of mental trauma and emotional blockages.

Psychoanalyst Karen Horney explored the concept of ambition as one of the neurotic needs - a painful desire for personal achievement. It depends on whether you manage to be the best. We all come across an example of neurotic ambition already at school, we know children suffering from a low grade received that there is a blow to them for them. In adulthood, this develops into a desire to be the best lover, writer, sportsman, to have the highest performance in production, prestigious awards, and earn the most.

Neurotic ambition is less harmful to others than other neurotic needs of the predatory type, because it is directed at its owner. Ambition has a destructive effect on him personally, brings an inability to accept himself as he is, to the full extent and with all natural, feelings, experiences to live his life. Such a person must definitely get grades, prove through his activity, first of all, to himself - his “I” exists and has weight. It is extremely important for him to capture, fix his activity in order to present its results to others as proof of his existence. This directly affects whether the neurotic can reduce the level, which goes off scale, if he does not have visible, visible evidence of his productive and productive activities.

Neurotic ambition also forces a person to destructive actions - the desire to defeat his obvious or imaginary rivals, to win in competition and competitive struggle in any way.

How to reveal that ambition has a neurotic character? Its symptom is acute, which in neurotic vanity is perceived as humiliation. Another factor is the relentless pushing of oneself to greater accomplishments, which occurs despite the ongoing anxiety. Awards and trophies do not bring joy to such a person, there is no experience of genuine deep satisfaction from them. Achievement only pushes you to even higher levels, which will help you deal with anxiety. They simply reduce anxiety, feeling for a short time - they calm the inner critic, the internalized accuser. Such a neurotic has no peace with himself, he does not accept himself.

Ambition, how to get rid of

If you have begun to notice that your child has begun to show symptoms of neurotic ambition, you need to convince him that you will love and accept him, even regardless of what mark he brings from school. And let you feel your unconditional love. Tell him stories about failures from the lives of those around him, stories related to falls - with the aim that by these examples the child learns to feel that all failures are just feedback. Try to reduce the fear of failure so that it is not associated with humiliation, thereby redirecting or softening neurotic ambition, making it less sharp and painful. In general, as for other neurotic needs, according to Karen Horney's approach, in order to resolve this complex, it is important to weaken the idealized image, inflated ideas about oneself, learn to accept oneself, treat oneself without hatred and contempt.

There is an interesting opinion that ambition, in contrast, is the main driving force of mankind. A person constantly wants more, looks at others and celebrates their successes: a promotion, a new car, a vacation in a trendy resort with an abundance of impressions.

Ambition gives rise to an unwillingness to feel like a loser and win from everyone and constantly. Indeed, it draws a person forward, learning from others and receiving examples - he has to his own success. People create innovative technologies, develop science, someone has been in space, invented social networks, and the rest are drawn to the best, trying to acquire it and prevail. And so humanity moves forward thanks to ambition and. But is such ambition the only and true guarantee of strength and success?

At the same time, many do not agree with such a view, arguing that true ambition is not needed, ambition can even be a sign of the lack of talent and it.

Ambition can have a different nature. That ambition, which is associated with a thirst for possession and domination, is usually considered a negative quality. In contrast, some highlight a healthy passion that motivates and helps to reach the top after talent.

There is an aesthetic theory of Chukovsky, that only what a person does not want is good. That is, non-pragmatic activity brings brilliant results. An example is Steve Jobs, who became a truly great businessman not because of the desire for money, success, honors. He was fascinated by the idea of ​​creating a fundamentally new and very valuable for mankind, putting all his strength into his aspiration. That is, for success, you need to set yourself a high, ambitious goal, which should not be pragmatic - but higher than just the desire, for example, for money, which will only be a consequence.

Or maybe ambition is the desire for immortality? The desire to leave something behind. “I owe all the best in me to death.” After all, if our life were not finite, if it were not for the need to realize ourselves in this allotted area of ​​\u200b\u200blife, then there would be no incentive to create, stand out, be remembered, leaving a mark. The idea of ​​death strongly pushes to leave some recognized values, a good or famous name, which is a kind of synonym for honor. From this point of view, ambition reveals the meaning of the word not through love for honors, but as a striving for personal honor. And this motivation is considered harmonious, as it contributes to true growth. So we can talk about ambition at different levels.

Is ambition good or bad?

Where is the line between healthy ambition and ambition? For example, an athlete or an actor must consider himself the best - otherwise he will not achieve high results. Self-confidence, positioning himself as the best and belief in this move him to work hard on himself. Looking at the views on this issue over the past 2000 years of history in different currents, we will even see contradictory approaches in religions. In Orthodoxy, the dogma of self-abasement permeates the dogma with a red thread. Career, self-esteem, the desire to be the first, to reach heights and prove something to yourself or your environment - are considered bad, following the instructions of the Bible, to be the last. In contrast to them, modesty, self-abasement, awareness of one's insignificance and humility are cultivated as the only way out. Ambition here is associated with pride and is considered a sin.

In Catholicism, there is already a different approach - a person must be respected, not stoop to self-abasement and sprinkle ashes on his head. A person here is no longer bad, but in Protestantism he is completely good - success, work, money, well-being are considered as gifts from above, a blessing. This approach contributes to advancement in life, creation even at the level of an entire nation. Beautiful architecture, comfortable cars, quality things and a good education - this is what we associate with the European and American ways of life, professing Catholicism and Protestantism. However, with an excess of attention to such benefits, the line between healthy ambitions, a generally positive desire for success and ambition is lost, success becomes an end in itself, subordinating all aspirations of a person.

The approach, rather characteristic of Orthodoxy, that it is necessary to preserve the soul and fight the passions of ambition - in its excess also gives distortions in the human soul, envy of more successful people and a craving for comfort appear simultaneously with extreme condemnation, which splits the psyche, forcing a person to use a whole set of mechanisms. Which, in the end, does not contribute to the victory over ambition, but, on the contrary, polarizes the psyche and gives new momentum.

Of course, the truth is in the middle. With a more careful, scrupulous study, we will restore the balance by finding a common original meaning, which later developed into opposing currents. The instruction to sit down in the last place sometimes looks somewhat manipulative, as if I deliberately humiliate myself, and secretly with the same thirst for success, I hope that they will elevate me. This is an allegorical instruction, but it has a deep meaning. Do not sit in first place - do not try to be a leader in form. And sit on the last one, first becoming it internally and proving with all your being that you are the first - so that it is recognized by the people themselves. At the same time, elevation itself here should not have significance for a person, but only deep inner work on oneself, which bears fruit, and is not an end in itself. Self-abasement is an extreme, which is also confirmed by other gospel advice - for example, to knock so that it is opened, to seek and acquire, not to bury talent in the ground. It shows that if you believe, then everything can be achieved. Faith that moves mountains gives high self-esteem, which, together with hard work, leads to success.

It turns out that it is an active life position that is preached in Christianity. No need to worship the first place or money, by all means reach out to them for the sake of honor and pride. This is revealed in the instruction not to try to serve two masters - God and Mammon, where Mammon personifies earthly blessings. They are not bad in themselves, like wealth, which is not evil, but good, if it is a means to high ends. And the line between ambition and ambition is reached in the Christian position by the fact that a person’s attention should not be directed to gaining honors, he should not dream of self-exaltation, and being exalted by other people, maintain modesty and continue to work on himself. It is this formula that leads a person to true victories, lays the mechanism for success.

Speaker of the Medical and Psychological Center "PsychoMed"

In the modern world, a person who is not ambitious has a hard time. What does ambition mean in today's world? Can this concept be classified as negative? In the end, we ourselves choose the paths that we will follow. Someone's conscience hurts their eyes to pass by a beggar, and someone without a twinge of conscience snatches a tin can of coins from him. In this article, we will analyze and what it is expressed in.

Definition

This term expresses a property of character, which manifests itself as clearly defined personal goals, motives and methods for achieving fame, primacy, honorary position and recognition in any field of activity. The word "ambition" sounds rather grandiloquent, but if you disassemble its components, you can find a fusion of two simple words: honor and love. Such a phrase has a positive connotation only when an individual, striving to earn "honor", does good deeds without infringing on the rights and freedoms of other people, rises up the career ladder with dignity and honor.

But the reality is that often the meaning of the word "ambition" is not so noble - it means a person who yearns for honor at any cost, such a person, putting his person above others, goes to his goal, sacrificing those around him. This quality in psychology is an indicator of selfish behavior. And as many great psychologists have said, selfishness is "the sin of the human soul."

What is ambition: manifestations and properties

Ambition determines the specific actions of a person in achieving a career, individual success. A person striving to realize ambitious goals strives with all his might to do his job better than others, constantly improves, develops willpower and potential.

A smart and decent person is distinguished by ambition, which is justified by his knowledge, truthfulness, nobility. The value of ambition in the life of such a person does not prevail over his humanity. He stands out from the rest with a clear head and a kind heart.

The difference between vanity and ambition

One would think that vanity can be called a synonym for ambition. However, vanity is more focused on a cheap effect, it is suitable for one-day people, buffoons. In comparison with this trait of character, ambition is achieved by a deeply thought-out project. This is a serious purposeful and long process of achieving success, at the top of which the brilliance of the virtues of her "climber" will be clearly and clearly reflected.

True ambition can only be satisfied by well-deserved, and not far-fetched, glory. Such an ambitious person commands sincere respect.

Where do roots grow from?

For those who are interested in what ambition is and where it comes from, such a personal quality appears as a result of a person’s inner need to assert himself and prove to the whole world his value and significance, to receive tangible evidence of his merits.

Ambition is more of a masculine quality. It should be on a par with such masculine qualities as purposefulness, responsibility and self-confidence. Try to find a woman who would be satisfied with her state of affairs, because women are an aggregate for the production of desires. A man, as an ambitious person, will accumulate women's desires in his mind and subconsciously strive for more in order to provide himself and his companion with a better standard of living. By the way, women easily recognize vanity, which does not at all make a person pleasant, but only repels.

Only those who see ahead of their success and recognition of merit are ready to work. Those who are convinced of their own worth gain self-respect and a healthy sense of self-worth. Respect does not need words, when a person is respected, he feels it, as, by the way, those around him, seeing the attitude of others towards him, are imbued with a sense of respect for him.

Ambition, built into the psychological organization of a person, acts as an ethical quality of a person and is revealed in the interaction of a person with society.

Caution: ambition!

When ambition is inherent in a good person, it is constructive, healthy and positive for others.

If it becomes a property of a bad person, then, being at the disposal of a destructive personality, it can have an unpleasant effect on people's lives, especially when such a person gains power.

It makes sense for society to nurture healthy professional and career ambition in people. It is healthy ambition that motivates for productive social activity. Therefore, it is considered an extremely positive personality trait. By developing a healthy ambition in oneself, a person can achieve unprecedented heights.

This is a completely normal and natural desire - to provide your family with housing, a garage, a garden, and even a swimming pool. Even more natural is the desire of a person to give his children the best education, send them abroad to ski or sail on a yacht. These are just applications in life. But will people work overtime if they are not lured by such a lure? Who will study scientific treatises day and night if he does not expect to receive a degree in the future?

In other words, it is impossible to imagine the progress of mankind apart from the ambitious thoughts of its most enterprising and enterprising representatives.

Ambition as part of other character traits

In itself, ambition without reference to other positive qualities of a person becomes a simple fantasy. Only when it is in alliance with purposefulness, perseverance, perseverance, determination, constancy, responsibility, does it turn into a formidable force crushing all obstacles. Fueled by enthusiasm and inspiration, the ambitious person tries to assert himself in his chosen environment. Thanks to ambition, all the forces of a person are directed towards achieving the goal, as if a clot of colossal energy breaks through the dam of dissatisfaction with life.

Prominent ambition

If a person is overwhelmed by hypertrophied, exorbitant, ambition not supported by its own significance, then in all its characteristics it becomes akin to cheap vanity. Painful ambition, which is associated, as in the case of vanity, with the search for vain glory, gives rise to a feeling of chronic dissatisfaction with life, worries and suffering, envy of other people's success, sacrificing love for a spouse, children and friends.

Enemies of ambition

This character trait can have only two enemies - an unfulfilled dream and someone's achieved goal. This is the case when an arrogant person discovers a lack of talent in himself. Of course, the dream in this case will suffer and remain a dream forever. If this happens to a person, then his wounded ambition finds the reason in the lack of time, in circumstances, bad luck, evil fate and intrigues of enemies.

The second case is a vivid example of the wrong goal setting. This is the very moment when ambition meets the lack of happiness, although the peak may already be conquered. Even more suffering brings the realization that he always went to an imposed, alien goal, which appeared under the influence of stereotypes, false beliefs, beliefs and the influence of society.

This article told you what ambition is. And how to perceive it is already a personal matter for everyone.

In fact, this word is not as harmless as it seems. We'll find out why later. First, you need to first look at the translation of this word from Church Slavonic. Many contemporaries, especially young people, are confused in the concept or have never heard it at all. Secondly, let's list examples in more detail in order to understand what ambition is. The definition of this word, of course, is best given clear and precise. Suppose there is a word "honor". Not everyone knows what it is. And we will immediately get the answer: self-assessment when performing any action.

What does it mean?

What is ambition? It is better to immediately give a simpler and more understandable answer. Ambition is the love of honors. What do they mean? Have you seen how people strive to take first place, to lead in any area of ​​life? They can safely be called ambitious.

Believe me, "chesto" does not mean "honest", the word "honor" dominates here. If you divide the word "ambition" into two halves, you get "honor" and "love." What do we end up with? Love honor, strive for it. This includes fame, leadership, praise in your address.

Ambition is a sin

Let's look at the Christian point of view. Ambition in the Orthodox environment is a sinful act. A Christian shouldn't be like that, because it grieves God. A person should be modest, not stand out among others. Jesus Christ Himself during his lifetime avoided glory and honor when he healed the sick. Such an example is described in the Holy Gospel.

Should such a vice as this be avoided? Why vice? After all, every victory brings joy. In fact, such joy is deceptive. There is such an episode in the Gospel where Christ tells a parable about the first and last places: whoever sits down from those invited in the first row will be asked to sit down in the farthest place. And the one who sat modestly and very far away is invited to take a place of honor next to the owner. And Jesus ended this parable like this: The Kingdom of Heaven is similar to this parable.

As modern priests say, ambition is the desire to strive for glory, recognition, majesty. But this is inherent in everything a proud person.

Ambition for a contemporary

What is ambition for modern man? In fact, various types of striving have existed at all times. For example, a young man dreams of becoming an athlete. They ask him: "Why, why?". If he answers: "I want to become a great champion in the world so that I have awards, respect!". Ambition is here. The brightest and most accurate example.

Let's consider another option. The man got a job. He is a simple employee with a small salary, but he has the ability to manage. He has a big family, money is not enough. For the sake of loved ones, but also for the sake of colleagues, he strives to become a leader. Having become a director, he earns for the family, honestly pays salaries to employees, helps them, strives to be everyone's friend. Can such a person be called ambitious? Of course not. On the contrary, if a simple worker dreamed of becoming a director for the purpose of leadership and honor, then he most likely would not become a subordinate friend and assistant.

How not to be ambitious?

Suppose a person is on his knees before God, wholeheartedly asks for forgiveness for having had pride: he looked down on others and strived to be considered the most important, best of all. And now he is ashamed, tormented by conscience. He doesn't need it anymore. He wants to change.

We have looked at what ambition is. Now let's see what can be the opposite of this vice. As a rule, a person is modest, quiet, inconspicuous. He only obeys unquestioningly, obeys, unless, of course, the request or order does not run counter to conscience.

The one who rejects ambition will say, for example: I don't need a prize, let someone else get it.