To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
We the Living is not a novel 'about Soviet Russia.' It is a novel about Man against the State. Its basic theme is the sanctity of human life - using the word 'sanctity' not in a mystical sense, but in the sense of 'supreme value.'
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of individual human life and the struggle against oppressive societal structures.
Ayn Rand's quote reflects on her novel 'We the Living,' arguing that it transcends its historical context to highlight a more fundamental theme: the value of human life when faced with the power of the State. It asserts that the individual's existence and dignity are paramount, and the struggle against governmental oppression is a central conflict that defines humanity's essence.
Themes
IndividualismFreedomValue Of LifeOppressionHuman Dignity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about civil liberties, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of individual rights.
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.
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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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For a man's counsel cannot have equal weight or worth, when he alone has no children to risk in the general danger.
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And as she looked around, she saw how Death the consoler, Laying his hand upon many a heart, had healed it forever.
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