Who said “Ambition. An overmastering desire to be vilified by enemies while living and made…”?

Verified

Ambrose Bierce. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Devil's Dictionary (1911)

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“Ambition. An overmastering desire to be vilified by enemies while living and made ridiculous by friends when dead.”
— Ambrose Bierce
VerifiedThe Devil's Dictionary (1911) · evidenceAmbition

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Devil's Dictionary (1911).

APA

Bierce, A. (n.d.). Ambition. An overmastering desire to be vilified by enemies while living and made ridiculous by friends when dead. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6163-ambition-an-overmastering-desire-to-be-vilified-by/

MLA

Bierce, Ambrose. “Ambition. An overmastering desire to be vilified by enemies while living and made ridiculous by friends when dead.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6163-ambition-an-overmastering-desire-to-be-vilified-by/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Bierce, Ambrose. “Ambition. An overmastering desire to be vilified by enemies while living and made ridiculous by friends when dead.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6163-ambition-an-overmastering-desire-to-be-vilified-by/.

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