To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others.
Interpretation
The quote critiques government intervention in the economy, suggesting it benefits a few at the expense of many.
Ayn Rand's quote emphasizes her belief that government interventions distort economic fairness by granting unearned advantages to specific individuals or groups, while undermining the rights and opportunities of others. It reflects her broader philosophy of Objectivism, which values individualism and free-market capitalism, asserting that forceful redistribution or regulation infringes upon personal freedoms and leads to societal inequities.
In practice
This quote could be used in a political debate to argue against government regulation of businesses.
To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
The difference between animals and humans is that animals change themselves for the environment, but humans change the environment for themselves.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And death shall have no dominion. Under the windings of the sea They lying long shall not die windily; Twisting on racks when sinews give way, Strapped to a wheel, yet they shall not break; Faith in their hands shall snap in two, And the unicorn evils run them through; Split all ends up they shan't crack; And death shall have no dominion.
But you see, a rich country like America can perhaps afford to be stupid.
If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.
I roamed the countryside searching for answers to things I did not understand. Why shells existed on the tops of mountains. How the various circles of water form around the spot which has been struck by a stone, and why a bird sustains itself in the air.
To kill time is not murder, it's suicide.
Shall I tell you what the real evil is? To cringe to the things that are called evils, to surrender to them our freedom, in defiance of which we ought to face any suffering.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.