Choose a heroic ideal. Emulate rather than imitate. There are exemplars of greatness, living texts of honor. Let everyone have before his mind the best in his profession, not so much to follow him as to spur himself on. Alexander wept not on account of Achilles being dead and buried, but over himself because his fame had not yet spread throughout the world. Nothing arouses ambition so much in the heart as the trumpet call of another's fame. The same thing that sharpens envy nourishes a generous spirit.

THE ART OF WORLDLY WISDOM BY BALTHASAR GRACIAN
TRANSLATED BY JOSEPH JACOBS 1892