William Penn. (1644–1718). Fruits of Solitude.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
Of Ambition
96. They that soar too high, often fall hard; which makes a low and level Dwelling preferrable.
97. The tallest Trees are most in the Power of the Winds, and Ambitious Men of the Blasts of Fortune.
98. They are most seen and observed, and most envyed: Least Quiet, but most talk’d of, and not often to their Advantage.
99. Those Buildings had need of a good Foundation, that lie so much exposed to Weather.
100. Good Works are a Rock, that will support their Credit; but Ill Ones a Sandy Foundation that Yields to Calamities.
101. And truly they ought to expect no Pity in their Fall, that when in Power had no Bowels for the Unhappy.
102. The worst of Distempers; always Craving and Thirsty, Restless and Hated: A perfect Delirium in the Mind: Insufferable in Success, and in Disappointments most Revengeful.