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.
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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.
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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
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In every age its (liberty's) progress has been beset by its natural enemies, by ignorance and superstition, by lust of conquest and by love of ease, by the strong man's craving for power, and the poor man's craving for food
Lord ActonRead
THE FATHER: But don't you see that the whole trouble lies here? In words, words. Each one of us has within him a whole world of things, each man of us his own special world. And how can we ever come to an understanding if I put in the words I utter the sense and value of things as I see them; while you who listen to me must inevitably translate them according to the conception of things each one of you has within himself. We think we understand each other, but we never really do.
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The twin conceptions of sin and vindictive punishment seem to be at the root of much that is most vigorous, both in religion and politics.
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There is nothing by which men display their character so much as in what they consider ridiculous... Fools and sensible men are equally innocuous. It is in the half fools and the half wise that the great danger lies.
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He who aims at making an entire and perfect oblation of himself, in addition to his will, must offer his understanding, which is a further and the highest degree of obedience.
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What hands are here? ha! they pluck out mine eyes! Will all great Neptuneβs ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No; this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red.β βMy hands are of your colour; but I shame to wear a heart so white. A little water clears us of this deed: How easy it is then! Your constancy hath left you unattended.
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