To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
Collectivism answers: The power of society is unlimited. Society may make any laws it wishes, and force them upon anyone in any manner it wishes.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote raises concerns about the potential tyranny of majority rule in a collectivist society.
Ayn Rand's quote critiques the concept of collectivism, highlighting the idea that if society wields unlimited power, it can impose any laws or rules on individuals, potentially leading to oppression and the loss of personal freedoms. Rand warns against the dangers of allowing society's whims to dictate individual rights, advocating instead for the protection of personal liberty against the whims of the collective.
Themes
CollectivismSocietyFreedomLawsIndividualityOppression
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of individual rights in the face of governmental power.
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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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