Beau Brummel is a noted instance of this kind of ambition.

It is said that fully half of his time was devoted to his toilet, and the other half to displaying it in the streets, or in society.

Now this is a very low form of ambition, and it is wrong to indulge it, because it is a waste of time which could be much better employed." Harry now proceeded to describe what he regarded as a true and praiseworthy ambition.

He defined it as a desire to excel in what would be of service to the human race, and he instanced his old Franklin, who, induced by an honorable ambition, worked his way up to a high civil station, as well as a commanding position in the scientific world.

He mentioned Columbus as ambitious to extend the limits of geographical knowledge, and made a brief reference to the difficulties and discouragements over which he triumphed on the way to success.