To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
It is a matter of record that in the German Election of 1933, the Communist Party was ordered by its leaders to vote for the Nazis - with the explanation that they could later fight the Nazis for power, but first they had to help destroy their common enemy : capitalism and its parliamentary form of government.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights a controversial political strategy where the Communist Party allied with the Nazis to combat capitalism.
Ayn Rand's quote reflects the complex political dynamics of the German Election of 1933, where the Communist Party made a decision to support the Nazi party under the belief that once capitalism was dismantled, they could subsequently challenge the Nazis for control. This strategic alliance underscores the unforeseen consequences of prioritizing short-term goals over long-term political ideologies, emphasizing the precarious nature of political alliances and the potential for ideological betrayal.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a political discussion about unlikely alliances in history, this quote can illustrate the fragility of political ideologies.
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.
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.
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The government of Israel doesn't like the kinds of things I say, which puts them into the same category as every other government in the world.
The "progressives" who today masquerade as "liberals" may rant against "fascism"; yet it is their policy that paves the way for Hitlerism. Nothing could have been more helpful to the success of the National-Socialist (Nazi) movement than the methods used by the "progressives," denouncing Nazism as a party serving the interests of "capital." The German workers knew this tactic too well to be deceived by it again.
Look for the enemies of Medicare, of higher minimum wages, of Social Security, of federal aid to education and there you will find the enemy of the Negro, the coalition of Dixiecrats and reactionary Republicans that seek to dominate the Congress.
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This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer.