Mr Big presents a stark theory of ambition: that its ultimate purpose is the acquisition of power. In the wider passage, he explains that he has already reached the limits of what he can achieve within his criminal sphere and doubts that entering another field would give him greater influence.

The statement reduces ambition to a desire for control, authority or dominance. It leaves little room for other motives, such as achievement, recognition, curiosity, service or creative fulfilment. Because the words are spoken by Mr Big, they are best understood as an expression of his own worldview rather than as a neutral statement of fact.

The quotation is therefore useful for examining how ambition can become closely associated with power in political, professional or personal life. It also invites a distinction between ambition as a general drive to achieve and ambition specifically directed towards increasing one’s influence over others.

Full quotation

“I have, literally, no more worlds to conquer within my chosen orbit. Alas, it is too late in my life to change that orbit for another one, and since power is the goal of all ambition, it is unlikely that I could possibly acquire more power in another sphere than I already possess in this one.”