Why is the characteristic of ambition often frowned upon?

Answer 1

This is not always the case; certain people, organisations, groups and even nations always seek after ambitious people. The ambitious are always motivated people, and often with ability to motivated and even inspire others. They are the ones who have strongest of purposes of all people. They therefore can get things done both for themselves and for other people. Ambitions are the dreams we can have, dreams of becoming what we want to be with all our mind and heart.

Ambitions are one of the most powerful of all human traits but they are not always right. Inordinate desires and miss-projected ambitions can ruin people’s lives; the ones who do not make a good part of the life of someone ambitious therefore always take their ambitions cautiously, and often with a scornfulness and disdain. In simple words, it is often difficult to feel the real person behind a strong ambition. Ambitious people are often prone to use others around them and exploit resources helplessly for the purpose of their own good. They are always rigorously objective and therefore are most likely to consider everything as a means to their end.

The characteristics of ambition in the mind are like the state of human heart when in love. Just like love, that cause our focus to lock onto a single object of our fancy and affection, ambitions too can narrow our focus down to the object of our mind’s desire. It has been witnessed quite often that conflicts arise when a choice has to be made between an ambitions and the object of one’s love. In case of both ambitions and love, other people feel being ignored, or taken for granted, as they often are. They therefore do not appreciate the ambitious if they not feel being a part of what they have to experience.

Answer 2

Ambition is fine as long as it exists with good morals. Usually it is viewed from a standpoint of being an "aggressor" Ambition, agression are catorgorized in the same thoughts. An ambitious person is seen as a take over type person. When motivation or motivated is a better word than ambitious. Ambition is not bad but those who show only a selfish need to take over will be looked at with purely an ambitious nature and will be frowned upon heavily. The answer is to have moral fiber with the content of any statement or action.

Answer 3

I don't think ambition is frowned upon. If it goes too far so that
"the ends justify the means" and lying cheating and stepping on others are rolled into ambition the it is frowned on and rightly so.

Answer 4

The need to have power and control, and also in some cases, greed.
Have you noticed it in Republican American politics blended with narrow minded fundamentalist religion? Or business where a few will steal investors blind.
It is one thing to dedicate one to succeeding in terms of fulfilling one's talents and abilities, but attempting to gain money and power without regard for others, human or animal, or self is probably the most destructive and frowned upon.
My three rules:
If it doese not feel good, find something else to do.
Focus on the good things, what one has, rather than what one wants.
And enjoy life be it friends and family, and companion animals, or a good party, or walking through green hills, etc.
If we can't have the essentials of happiness and have ambition fulfilled without damage to humans, self, animals, and the environment in general, then is it really worth it? To me is certainly is not!

Answer 5

I think it's mostly because it's so closely linked with selfishness, self obsession, greed, materialism and basically being a cold-hearted bastard. It brings up ideas of company executives striving for a new boat rather than nicer ambitions like curing a disease or clearing the world of land mines.
Basically noone thinks there is anything wrong with having high goals, it's just the word "ambition" is associated with nasty people.
But of course some people are just insecure and therefore threatened by anyone who might end up achieving more than them.

Answer 6

A good example of the negative aspects of ambition is in the Shakespearean play Macbeth. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's ambition led them to murder and step on other people's toes in order to rule. That aspect of ambition is what is frowned upon, not so much wanting to succeed or do well in one's field.

Answer 7

Ambition is desire to become more. It forms divisions between you and other. Conflicts arise in division, my ambition against yours. Ambition is a concern about my self, I feel motivated to reach my goal, my perceptive qualities are narrowed down.

Frowned upon by others who are in competition with you maybe?
Playing the same game, kind of hypocritical in nature.

The ego sustains itself on just thoughts.

Answer 8

I didn't know it was. I always thought it was dull, simple, sleepy people like me with no ambition at all that were frowned upon.

Answer 9

Human ambition typically is selfish when thought has no guidelines to adhere to, and so gives an ugly result.

Answer 10

I would say because it is often associated with "big headedness" and narrow mindedness. Someone stereotypically ambitious is more often than not going to look after themself - ignore other people and only care about themselves, ie trample on those who get in their way. But saying that, i would consider myself ambitious but only in the way that if i get promoted etc, it sould be off my own abilities and hard work!