To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
No man can have a right to impose an unchosen obligation , an unrewarded duty or an involuntary servitude on another man. There can be no such thing as " the right to enslave .
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that no person has the moral right to force obligations or servitude upon another without their consent.
Ayn Rand's quote underscores the importance of individual freedom and personal consent in moral and ethical matters. It asserts that legitimate rights cannot involve the imposition of unchosen responsibilities or duties on others, highlighting the fundamental principle that one person's freedom should not infringe upon another's autonomy. The notion of 'the right to enslave' is directly refuted, advocating for a moral framework rooted in voluntary association and mutual agreement.
Themes
FreedomObligationRightsIndividualismServitude
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate on personal freedom and government responsibilities.
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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