The Latin root of the word “ambition” literally means “to go around,” hinting that ambition isn’t just about drive—it’s the unrelenting ability to face a roadblock and, come hell or high water, find a way around it.
In ancient Rome, ambition had political roots—those who were truly ambitious would “go around” canvassing for votes. Historically, ambition hasn’t always been seen as a virtue (just ask Macbeth). But in the United States, ambition became a defining ideal, championed by Founding Fathers like John Adams, who wrote about it as a virtue essential to Americans.
