To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
And here, over the portals of my fort, I shall cut in the stone the word which is to be my beacon and my banner. The word which will not die should we all perish in battle. The word which can never die on this earth, for it is the heart of it and the meaning and the glory. The sacred word: EGO
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of individualism and self-identity as a guiding principle in life.
Ayn Rand’s quote expresses the idea that the concept of 'Ego' is essential for human existence and significance. It symbolizes the foundation of strength and glory, suggesting that individualism and personal identity are vital, enduring forces that persist even in the face of adversity and mortality. Rand elevates 'Ego' to a sacred status, indicating that it encompasses the essence of human life and is a beacon of purpose and direction.
Themes
EgoIndividualismIdentityStrengthPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth, one might use this quote to emphasize the need for self-identity.
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.
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
I may not agree with what you have to say but I will fight you to the death for the right to fight you to the death.
Stephen ColbertRead
My idea of freedom is that we should protect the rights of people to believe what their conscience dictates, but fight equally hard to protect people from having the beliefs of others imposed upon them.
Justin TrudeauRead
The Word of God can be in the mind without being in the heart; but it cannot be in the heart without first being in the mind.
R. C. SproulRead
Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set.
Francis BaconRead
I don't think the people of the slave states will ever consider the subject of slavery in its true light till some other argument is resorted to other than moral persuasion.
John BrownRead
True progress lies in the direction of decentralization, both territorial and functional, in the development of the spirit of local and personal initiative, and of free federation from the simple to the compound, in lieu of the present hierarchy from the centre to the periphery.
Peter KropotkinRead