Purpose kindles the flame of ambition on the alter of the heart and inspires the soul to all worthy endeavor.  A presiding purpose conserves energy.  An aimless man is guilty of the worst kind of waste. … A presiding purpose not only conserves energy, but it inspires to action.  Purpose is power, motive power.  It is like a lever in mechanics.  It is like the pressure of steam in an engine.  [...]

The greatest asset an individual can have is the spirit of progress.  Without it all else is largely in vain.  With it every good thing is possible.  What is the spirit of progress?  It is the desire to know what constitutes true success and the willingness to take the patient steps which lead to it; the desire to correct errors, traits and tendencies which retard progress and the willingness to [...]

Ambition is that quality which causes a man to reach onward and upward for something bigger and better.  Some have said it is simply the disposition to restlessness but such a definition does not fit.  Many men are restless and have no ambition at all.  Ambition is more than merely restlessness.  It is a force which, while it may cause restlessness, leads on to definite and concentrated effort [...]