AMBITION. - Etymologically it derives from the Latin verb *ambire*, "to go around" or to canvass in order to obtain honours or offices.
In a broad sense, very common in popular language, it signifies the desire to assert oneself, to attain honours, to reach positions of responsibility. In this sense one often speaks of noble and holy ambition.
In a stricter sense, the only one used in moral theology, it signifies an inordinate desire and unrestrained pursuit of honours and offices. Thus understood, it arises from pride. St Thomas, in the *Summa Theologiae*, II-II, q. 131, art. 1, defines it thus: "Ambition is a sin whereby honour is pursued in an inordinate manner, either because it is not deserved, or because it is not referred to God but solely to oneself."
Ambition, as St Thomas already warns in the same article, can manifest itself in three ways, according to the diversity of the inordinate pursuit and craving for honours, offices, and dignities: 1) by desiring dignities and honours greater than those befitting the aspirant; 2) by seeking glory and honours through illicit actions or means: for example, through intrigues, seditions, rebellions, etc.; 3) by seeking honours with actual offence to God. This vice can even amount to a mortal sin in the following cases: a) when the ambitious man places his ultimate end in honours; b) when he seeks honours with serious harm to his neighbour or to the honour of God; c) when he seeks and obtains honours through gravely illicit means.