To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
Man is a being with free will; therefore, each man is potentially good or evil, and it's up to him and only him (through his reasoning mind) to decide which he wants to be.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Humans have the ability to choose their path, determining their moral character through reason.
Ayn Rand emphasizes the importance of free will in human nature, suggesting that each individual has the inherent ability to choose between good and evil. This capacity for reasoning empowers people to make moral decisions, highlighting personal responsibility in shaping one's character and actions.
Themes
Free WillMoralityReasoningPersonal ResponsibilityGoodEvil
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about ethics, this quote can illustrate the concept of personal choice in moral decisions.
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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