On Some Quotes from G.H. Hardy (opens in new tab)

These quotes prompt two thoughts. We nowadays might interpret ambition as "ambition to be the best at something". But this is like volunteering for a massively-negative-sum game -- most such attempts are doomed to fail. Hardy is more nuanced, interpreting ambition as desire to create "something of permanent value". I might just say "something worthwhile", in that permanence can be over-rated.