To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
America's founding Ideal was the principle of individual rights. Nothing more - and nothing less.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Individual rights form the cornerstone of America's founding principles.
This quote by Ayn Rand emphasizes the significance of individual rights as the fundamental ideal upon which America was built. It suggests that the recognition and protection of each person's rights are essential to the American identity, and that these rights are both the starting point and the ultimate goal of the nation's values and governance.
Themes
Individual RightsFreedomPhilosophyAmericaLiberty
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the importance of civil liberties, one might quote this to emphasize individual rights.
More from Ayn Rand
All quotes βThe difference between animals and humans is that animals change themselves for the environment, but humans change the environment for themselves.
Ayn RandRead
It is my eyes which see, and the sight of my eyes grants beauty to the earth. It is my ears which hear, and the hearing of my ears gives its song to the world. It is my mind which thinks, and the judgement of my mind is the only searchlight that can find the truth. It is my will which chooses, and the choice of my will is the only edict I must respect.
Ayn RandRead
What is the basic, the essential, the crucial principle that differentiates freedom from slavery? It is the principle of voluntary action versus physical coercion or compulsion.
Ayn RandRead
One method of destroying a concept is by diluting its meaning. Observe that by ascribing rights to the unborn, i.e., the nonliving, the anti-abortionists obliterate the rights of the living.
Ayn RandRead
I think that when in doubt about the truth of an issue, it's safer and in better taste to select the least numerous of the adversaries.
Ayn RandRead
Similar quotes
The dice of God are always loaded.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead
I respect generosity in people, and I respect it in companies too, I don't look at it as philanthropy; I see it as an investment in the community.
Paul NewmanRead
Still seems it strange, that thou shouldst live forever? Is it less strange, that thou shouldst live at all? This is a miracle; and that no more.
Edward YoungRead
Truly, there is a Christian note which makes the whole World vibrate, like an immense gong, in the divine Christ. This note is unique and universal, and in it alone consists the Gospel.
Pierre Teilhard De ChardinRead
Life is the path you beat while you walk it It's the walking that beats the path It is not the path that makes the walk
Antonio MachadoRead
If you look at life as a whole, we have to admit life's good where we live. But in an evil Twilight Zone kind of way there's nothing else to choose. In the old days there was always a Bohemia or a creative under-world to join if the mainstream life wasn't your bag - or a life of crime, or even religion.And now there's only the system. All other options have evaporated. For most people it's the System or what... death? There's nothing. There's no way out now.
Douglas CouplandRead