Who said “Ambition often puts men upon doing the meanest offices; so climbing is performed in the…”?

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Jonathan Swift. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThoughts on Various Subjects from Miscellanies (1711-1726)

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“Ambition often puts men upon doing the meanest offices; so climbing is performed in the same posture with creeping.”
— Jonathan Swift
VerifiedThoughts on Various Subjects from Miscellanies (1711-1726) · evidenceAmbition
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For academic work, cite the original where you can: Thoughts on Various Subjects from Miscellanies (1711-1726).

APA

Swift, J. (n.d.). Ambition often puts men upon doing the meanest offices; so climbing is performed in the same posture with creeping. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6211-ambition-often-puts-men-upon-doing-the-meanest/

MLA

Swift, Jonathan. “Ambition often puts men upon doing the meanest offices; so climbing is performed in the same posture with creeping.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6211-ambition-often-puts-men-upon-doing-the-meanest/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Swift, Jonathan. “Ambition often puts men upon doing the meanest offices; so climbing is performed in the same posture with creeping.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6211-ambition-often-puts-men-upon-doing-the-meanest/.

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