To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
The right to vote is a consequence, not a primary cause, of a free social system - and its value depends on the constitutional structure implementing and strictly delimiting the voters' power; unlimited majority rule is an instance of the principle of tyranny.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Voting is a result of a free society, not its foundation, and must be carefully controlled to prevent tyranny.
This quote by Ayn Rand emphasizes that the right to vote is not what creates a free society but rather emerges from it. She argues that for democracy to function properly, there must be a constitutional framework that limits the power of the majority to prevent it from becoming tyrannical, suggesting that unchecked majority rule can lead to oppression rather than freedom.
Themes
VoteFreedomSocietyTyrannyDemocracy
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on the importance of civic engagement in a democracy.
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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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