Ambition is to the mind what termites are to wood.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

Ambition compared with termites in wood pictures a pursuit consuming what contains it. The saying criticises ambition through an image of internal damage.

What the words are saying

A critical reading does not make every aim harmful or assign a psychological diagnosis. A useful application examines costs, methods and whether a pursuit crowds out other needs. Aspiration can be worthwhile; the metaphor is a warning, not a universal account of motivation or an animal-control procedure.

Everyday example

Someone reviews whether an aim’s demands are undermining responsibilities they also value.

When to use it

Use it to examine a pursuit’s costs without condemning all goals.

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Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.