To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
In a fully free society, taxation-or, to be exact, payment for governmental services-would be voluntary.
Interpretation
What this quote means
In a truly free society, individuals would choose to pay for government services rather than be compelled to pay taxes.
Ayn Rand emphasizes the concept of a fully free society where individuals have the autonomy to decide whether to contribute to governmental services financially. In her view, true freedom entails the absence of obligatory taxation, suggesting that citizens should willingly engage in voluntary payments for the services they choose to receive from the government, thus cultivating personal responsibility and liberty.
Themes
FreedomTaxationGovernmentVoluntarismLiberty
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate on fiscal policies, one might reference this quote to argue for reducing mandatory taxes.
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.
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
Wilderness is the raw material out of which man has hammered the artifact called civilization. Wilderness was never a homogenous raw material. It was very diverse. The differences in the product are known as cultures. The rich diversity of the worlds cultures reflects a corresponding diversity. In the wilds that gave them birth.
Aldo LeopoldRead
Indeed, I cannot think why the whole bed of the ocean is not one solid mass of oysters, so prolific the creatures seem. Ah, I am wandering! Strange how the brain controls the brain! What was I saying, Watson?
Arthur Conan DoyleRead
They say of me, and so they should, It's doubtful if I come to good. I see acquaintances and friends Accumulating dividends And making enviable names In science, art and parlor games. But I, despite expert advice, Keep doing things I think are nice, And though to good I never come Inseparable my nose and thumb.
Dorothy ParkerRead
The field of vision is comparable, for me, to the terrain of an archaeological dig. To see is to be on guard, to wait for what emerges from the background, without any name, without any particular interest: what was silent will speak, what is closed will open and will take on a voice.
Paul VirilioRead
People, human beings with all their creative diversity, are the makers of history.
Mikhail GorbachevRead
Acts have their being in the witness. Without him who can speak of it? In the end one could even say that the act is nothing, the witness all.
Cormac MccarthyRead