“I have found some of the best reasons I ever had for remaining at the bottom simply by looking at the men at the top.”

This may have been an attempt at humor but, my perspective of bottom and top (bottom of what ? - top of what ?) are very much different than the authors. I very seldom look at corporeal man as a reason to remain (static) anything. As a child of God, I am that I am in a continual animation of improvement and expansion (in charity, knowledge, understanding, etc).

I like Mike's approach - climb a better ladder.

I can see the reasoning when you see the type of people that are at the top of their profession. However, this is negative thinking. One must strive to be one of the top people. Thus, hopefully, making the statement untrue.

I'm thinking of another quote I read on here, let me see if I can get it straight, as I'm going from memory. It was from President Lincoln, something about any man can withstand adversity, if you really want to test his character, give him power. How many of us would really do that well, given huge amounts of power and authority? I have to confess that I for one would probably not. I'm better at adversity, thanks :)

Reminds me of politics -- look who has weaseled their way to the top like Obama, Pelosi, Reid, and other complete phonies on the right and left. It's enough to abstain altogether from 'striving' to get to the 'top' -- if that is what getting to the top means, then I'll stick around down here.

The only reason for wanting to get to the top, should be so that you could do it right, or at least better. IF you could do it right without being cornered into doing their way. Some good people at the top had good intentions, but too many strong people stood in the way or in some way corupted their good intentions. Should always strive to be better.

E Archer is right on.

Sunshine patriotic attitude, the weak minded man with a sponge follows the Strong man with the knife. To paraphrase Lord Acton's sentiments. Knowledge is power, abuse not the gift, as so many loose sight of what is right and what is wrong, then stray from understanding the cause, for Liberties sake.