If this page about to be shown without frames, force TOC frame at left. These are good questions and to answer them we must distinguish between constructive ambition and destructive ambition. Ambition, like desire, can have two aspects, depending upon the motivation and the object sought.
Negative ambition pursues worldly success and worldly pleasures with a self-centered motivation.
Due to our strong desire to have the pleasure we think these things will bring, we often harm, manipulate, or deceive others to obtain them. Even if we strive for these things without directly ill-treating others, our mind is still locked into a narrow state, seeking happiness from external people and objects that do not have the ability to bring us lasting happiness. Thus, the time we could spend developing unbiased love, compassion and wisdom is diverted into seeking things that do not satisfy us in the long term. There are many rich and famous people who are miserable and suffer from emotional problems and alcoholism. As we gradually decrease our worldly ambition, space opens up in our mind to act with compassion and wisdom.