To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
To demand 'sense' is the hallmark of nonsense. Nature does not make sense. Nothing makes sense.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that seeking logical sense in everything is often irrational, as nature itself is inherently nonsensical.
Ayn Rand's quote challenges the conventional notion that everything must make rational sense. It implies that the natural world operates beyond our limited understanding of logic and meaning, and to insist on coherence in all things is to misunderstand the complexity of existence. This view encourages embracing the chaos and absurdities of life, rather than forcing them into rigid frameworks of 'sense'.
Themes
SenseNonsenseNaturePhilosophyLife
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the unpredictability of life, this quote can underscore the importance of accepting chaos.
More from Ayn Rand
All quotes βThe 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
God has wisely kept us in the dark concerning future events and reserved for himself the knowledge of them, that he may train us up in a dependence upon himself and a continued readiness for every event.
Matthew HenryRead
Jesus comes among us, in our all division, not to instruct, comfort or inspire but to die. In doing so, He answers the sum of our self-regard, stupidity and cruelty.
Richard ColesRead
Freedoms, like privileges, prevail or are imperiled together You cannot harm or strive to achieve one without harming or furthering all.
Jose MartiRead
The minute you think that the past was better, your present is second hand, and yourself becomes vintage - itβs okay for clothes not that great for people
Karl LagerfeldRead
That's all nonviolence is - organized love.
Joan BaezRead
One who previously made bad karma, but who reforms and creates good karma, brightens the world like the moon appearing from behind a cloud.
Gautama BuddhaRead