Francis Quarles, Emblems, Book IV. Emblem 3
“
Be always displeased at what thou art, if thou desire to attain to what thou art not; for where thou hast pleased thyself, there thou abidest.
— Francis Quarles on Ambition
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "Be always displeased at what thou art, if thou desire to attain to what thou art not; for where thou hast pleased thyself, there thou abidest." in the context of "Francis Quarles, Emblems, Book IV. Emblem 3" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Ambition" (Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations: Quotes reported in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 20-21.)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
About Francis Quarles
Francis Quarles (baptised May 8, 1592, died September 8, 1644) was a prolific English prose-writer and poet. He is now best known for his Emblems (1638) and other moral and devotional verse.
About Francis Quarles
Francis Quarles (baptised May 8, 1592, died September 8, 1644) was a prolific English prose-writer and poet. He is now best known for his Emblems (1638) and other moral and devotional verse.
View all quotes →