Quote by Joseph Conrad
All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind.
Summary
This quote suggests that any ambition or goal is acceptable, as long as it does not leech off the vulnerabilities or gullibility of others. It implies that ambitions rooted in exploiting human suffering or exploiting the innocent are not morally justifiable. In other words, one's aspirations should not rely on exploiting the weaknesses or naivety of people because such ambitions are considered unethical and wrong. Instead, the quote advocates for pursuing ambitions that are respectful, considerate, and do not cause harm to others.