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.
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
Of what does politics consist except the making of imperfect decisions, many of them unjust and quite a few of them deadly?
Lewis H. LaphamRead
...it is impossible for a genuine people's revolution in any country to win victory without various forms of help from the international revolutionary forces.
Mao ZedongRead
We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty.
Edward R. MurrowRead
The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
You begin to realize that hypocrisy is not a terrible thing when you see what overt fascism is compared to sort of covert, you know, communal politics which the Congress has never been shy of indulging in.
Arundhati RoyRead
Israel was born under the British mandate. We learned from the British what democracy means, and how it behaves in a time of danger, war and terror. We thank Britain for introducing freedom and respect of human rights both in normal and demanding circumstances.
Shimon PeresRead