The quick answer is “Yes”. A Stoic can be ambitious, work hard, seek responsibility, build skill, create something excellent, and pursue influence. The only question is what ambition is serving and what a person is willing to become in order to satisfy it?
The ambition of a Stoic person is to be active, but not to have extreme desire to succeed in their endeavors. The person should have purpose and direction. But to achieve the purpose and to direct their ambition, they must accept and use the necessary discipline while at the same time make full use of all available opportunities. Ambition cannot depend upon any chance or other forces such as institutional restrictions, the marketplace, the opinions of others, or the opinions of the public. It should also not be connected to the outcome of the ambition. It should have its foundation on the work required. And here is where the connection between the ambition and the person lies in the character of that person.
The Stoic’s ambition must not be able to be owned or controlled by outside forces, therefore, a Stoic person needs to focus on their character as the primary driver of their ambition.
So, Stoicism asks us to stop treating rank, wealth, applause, and victory as proof that our lives are good. These things may be worth pursuing but they cannot be allowed to own us.
A Stoic ambition is therefore active but not desperate. It has an aim, accepts the discipline required, and makes serious use of opportunity. Yet it does not depend on an outcome that rests partly with chance, institutions, markets, other people, or public opinion. The ambition belongs to the work and the attachment belongs to character.
