To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
Don't think of them now. Never think of pain or danger or enemies a moment longer than is necessary to fight them. You're here. It's our time and our life, not theirs. Don't struggle not to be happy. You are." - John Gault
Interpretation
What this quote means
Focus on the present and your own happiness rather than dwelling on negativity.
This quote emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and not allowing past pains, fears, or adversaries to overshadow your current experiences. It encourages individuals to prioritize their own happiness and well-being instead of being burdened by negativity from others or past struggles.
Themes
HappinessPresentAwarenessNegativitySelf-Empowerment
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about overcoming adversity.
More from Ayn Rand
All quotes →The 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
Atheism is having a heyday in the born-again United States.
Alain De BottonRead
It is left... to the juries, if they think the permanent judges are under any bias whatever in any cause, to take on themselves to judge the law as well as the fact. They never exercise this power but when they suspect partiality in the judges; and by the exercise of this power they have been the firmest bulwarks of English liberty.
Thomas JeffersonRead
We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.
Benjamin FranklinRead
The difficulty we have in accepting responsibility for our behavior lies in the desire to avoid the pain of the consequences of that behavior.
M. Scott PeckRead
The solemn pledge to abstain from telling the truth was called socialist realism.
Aleksandr SolzhenitsynRead
Events can neither be regarded as a series of adventures nor strung on the thread of a preconceived moral. They must obey their own laws.
Leon TrotskyRead