Quote by Chinese Proverb
He who sacrifices his conscience to ambition burns a picture to obtain the ashes.
Summary
This quote suggests that when someone compromises their moral values or ignores their own conscience in pursuit of ambition or success, they are essentially destroying something valuable (represented by a picture) just to attain something meaningless (ashes). It highlights the idea that sacrificing one's integrity or principles for personal gain ultimately leads to a hollow and empty victory, devoid of true fulfillment or meaning. It serves as a cautionary reminder about the importance of maintaining one's conscience and moral compass in the face of ambition.