To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
The attack on "selfishness" is an attack on man's self-esteem; to surrender one, is to surrender the other.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Selfishness and self-esteem are deeply intertwined; undermining one harms the other.
In this quote, Ayn Rand emphasizes the vital connection between an individual's sense of self-worth and the concept of selfishness. She argues that to attack or devalue selfishness, which is often associated with self-interest and personal happiness, is to undermine a personβs self-esteem. Therefore, a healthy self-esteem is crucial for individuals to uphold their values and pursue their happiness unashamedly.
Themes
SelfishnessSelf-EsteemIndividualismSelf-WorthPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about the importance of self-esteem.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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