Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

100 Enlightening Quotes By Ayn Rand, The Author Of Atlas Shrugged

Famous As: Writer and Philosopher Known for Her Best-Selling Novels ‘The Fountainhead’ and ‘Atlas Shrugged’
Born On: February 2, 1905
Died On: March 6, 1982
Born In: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died At Age: 77
Ayn Rand was a Russia born American author, philosopher, playwright and intellectual. She was educated in Petrograd State University in Russia and studied history, but her passion was in literature which she pursued with great zeal. Rand arrived in the Unites States in 1925 but initially she worked as an extra in Hollywood in order to support herself while she worked on her writing and in 1934 she had her first big break with the screenplay of the film ‘Red Pawn’. However, her most important contribution to the world of literature has to be the philosophy of objectivism that placed the human being and human will above anything else. Her most famous novel ‘The Fountainhead’, published in 1943, tackled the subject at length and is regarded as one of the most influen-tial novels ever written in the English language. She followed it up with her second masterpiece ‘Atlas Shrugged’ in 1957 that explored the ideals of objectivity with even more depth. Rand is without doubt one of the most revered thinkers and philosophers of the 20th century and here are some of the finest quotes from her life and work.
The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.

The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.

Ayn Rand
If you don't know, the thing to do is not to get scared, but to learn.

If you don't know, the thing to do is not to get scared, but to learn.

Ayn Rand
Learn to value yourself, which means: fight for your happiness.

Learn to value yourself, which means: fight for your happiness.

Ayn Rand
I could die for you. But I couldn't, and wouldn't, live for you.

I could die for you. But I couldn't, and wouldn't, live for you.

Ayn Rand
Freedom (n.): To ask nothing. To expect nothing. To depend on nothing.

Freedom (n.): To ask nothing. To expect nothing. To depend on nothing.

Ayn Rand
A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.

A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.

Ayn Rand
To say

To say "I love you" one must know first how to say the "I".

Ayn Rand
I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.

I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.

Ayn Rand
The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities.

The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities.

Ayn Rand
I started my life with a single absolute: that the world was mine to shape in the image of my highest values and never to be given up to a lesser standard, no matter how long or hard the struggle.

I started my life with a single absolute: that the world was mine to shape in the image of my highest values and never to be given up to a lesser standard, no matter how long or hard the struggle.

Ayn Rand
The hardest thing to explain is the glaringly evident which everybody has decided not to see.

The hardest thing to explain is the glaringly evident which everybody has decided not to see.

Ayn Rand
The man who does not value himself, cannot value anything or anyone.

The man who does not value himself, cannot value anything or anyone.

Ayn Rand
Have you felt it too? Have you seen how your best friends love everything about you- except the things that count? And your most important is nothing to them; nothing, not even a sound they can recognize.

Have you felt it too? Have you seen how your best friends love everything about you- except the things that count? And your most important is nothing to them; nothing, not even a sound they can recognize.

Ayn Rand
He is free to evade reality, he is free to unfocus his mind and stumble blindly down any road he pleases, but not free to avoid the abyss he refuses to see.

He is free to evade reality, he is free to unfocus his mind and stumble blindly down any road he pleases, but not free to avoid the abyss he refuses to see.

Ayn Rand
Contradictions do not exist. Whenever you think that you are facing a contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong.

Contradictions do not exist. Whenever you think that you are facing a contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong.

Ayn Rand
My happiness is not the means to any end. It is the end. It is its own goal. It is its own purpose.

My happiness is not the means to any end. It is the end. It is its own goal. It is its own purpose.

Ayn Rand
The truth is not for all men but only for those who seek it.

The truth is not for all men but only for those who seek it.

Ayn Rand
Devotion to the truth is the hallmark of morality; there is no greater, nobler, more heroic form of devotion than the act of a man who assumes the responsibility of thinking.

Devotion to the truth is the hallmark of morality; there is no greater, nobler, more heroic form of devotion than the act of a man who assumes the responsibility of thinking.

Ayn Rand
Never think of pain or danger or enemies a moment longer than is necessary to fight them.

Never think of pain or danger or enemies a moment longer than is necessary to fight them.

Ayn Rand
Don't fool yourself, my dear. You're much worse than a bitch. You're a saint. Which shows why saints are dangerous and undesirable.

Don't fool yourself, my dear. You're much worse than a bitch. You're a saint. Which shows why saints are dangerous and undesirable.

Ayn Rand
Let me give you a tip on a clue to men's characters: the man who damns money has obtained it dishonorably; the man who respects it has earned it.

Let me give you a tip on a clue to men's characters: the man who damns money has obtained it dishonorably; the man who respects it has earned it.

Ayn Rand
To sell your soul is the easiest thing in the world. That's what everybody does every hour of his life. If I asked you to keep your soul - would you understand why that's much harder?

To sell your soul is the easiest thing in the world. That's what everybody does every hour of his life. If I asked you to keep your soul - would you understand why that's much harder?

Ayn Rand
She did not know the nature of her loneliness. The only words that named it were: This is not the world I expected.

She did not know the nature of her loneliness. The only words that named it were: This is not the world I expected.

Ayn Rand
If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing.

If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing.

Ayn Rand
You have been the one encounter in my life that can never be repeated

You have been the one encounter in my life that can never be repeated

Ayn Rand
A government is the most dangerous threat to man's rights: it holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical force against legally disarmed victims.

A government is the most dangerous threat to man's rights: it holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical force against legally disarmed victims.

Ayn Rand
Who is John Galt?

Who is John Galt?

Ayn Rand
I never found beauty in longing for the impossible and never found the possible to be beyond my reach.

I never found beauty in longing for the impossible and never found the possible to be beyond my reach.

Ayn Rand
I love you so much that nothing can matter to me - not even you...Only my love- not your answer. Not even your indifference

I love you so much that nothing can matter to me - not even you...Only my love- not your answer. Not even your indifference

Ayn Rand
I worship individuals for their highest possibilities as individuals and I loathe humanity for its failure to live up to these possibilities.

I worship individuals for their highest possibilities as individuals and I loathe humanity for its failure to live up to these possibilities.

Ayn Rand
The purpose of morality is to teach you, not to suffer and die, but to enjoy yourself and live.

The purpose of morality is to teach you, not to suffer and die, but to enjoy yourself and live.

Ayn Rand
I think, therefore I'll think.

I think, therefore I'll think.

Ayn Rand
What greater wealth is there than to own your life and to spend it on growing? Every living thing must grow. It can't stand still. It must grow or perish.

What greater wealth is there than to own your life and to spend it on growing? Every living thing must grow. It can't stand still. It must grow or perish.

Ayn Rand
But why should you care what people will say? All you have to do is please yourself.

But why should you care what people will say? All you have to do is please yourself.

Ayn Rand
When I disagree with a rational man, I let reality be our final arbiter; if I am right, he will learn; if I am wrong, I will; one of us will win, but both will profit.

When I disagree with a rational man, I let reality be our final arbiter; if I am right, he will learn; if I am wrong, I will; one of us will win, but both will profit.

Ayn Rand
People create their own questions because they are afraid to look straight. All you have to do is look straight and see the road, and when you see it, don't sit looking at it - walk.

People create their own questions because they are afraid to look straight. All you have to do is look straight and see the road, and when you see it, don't sit looking at it - walk.

Ayn Rand
Run for your life from any man who tells you that money is evil. That sentence is the leper's bell of an approaching looter.

Run for your life from any man who tells you that money is evil. That sentence is the leper's bell of an approaching looter.

Ayn Rand
Live and act within the limit of your knowledge and keep expanding it to the limit of your life.

Live and act within the limit of your knowledge and keep expanding it to the limit of your life.

Ayn Rand
Integrity is the ability to stand by an idea.

Integrity is the ability to stand by an idea.

Ayn Rand
Patience is always rewarded and romance is always round the corner!

Patience is always rewarded and romance is always round the corner!

Ayn Rand
There is no such thing as a lousy job - only lousy men who don't care to do it.

There is no such thing as a lousy job - only lousy men who don't care to do it.

Ayn Rand
If one's actions are honest, one does not need the predated confidence of others.

If one's actions are honest, one does not need the predated confidence of others.

Ayn Rand
Rationalization is a process of not perceiving reality, but of attempting to make reality fit one’s emotions.

Rationalization is a process of not perceiving reality, but of attempting to make reality fit one’s emotions.

Ayn Rand
Joy is the goal of existence, and joy is not to be stumbled upon, but to be achieved, and the act of treason is to let its vision drown in the swamp of the moment's torture.

Joy is the goal of existence, and joy is not to be stumbled upon, but to be achieved, and the act of treason is to let its vision drown in the swamp of the moment's torture.

Ayn Rand
Have you ever felt the longing for someone you could admire? For something, not to look down at, but up to?

Have you ever felt the longing for someone you could admire? For something, not to look down at, but up to?

Ayn Rand
She knew that even pain can be confessed, but to confess happiness is to stand naked, delivered to the witness...

She knew that even pain can be confessed, but to confess happiness is to stand naked, delivered to the witness...

Ayn Rand
Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver.

Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver.

Ayn Rand
What is man? He's just a collection of chemicals with delusions of grandeur.

What is man? He's just a collection of chemicals with delusions of grandeur.

Ayn Rand
But I don't think of you.

(Howard Roark)

But I don't think of you. (Howard Roark)

Ayn Rand
It is not death that we wish to avoid, but life that we wish to live.

It is not death that we wish to avoid, but life that we wish to live.

Ayn Rand
I can accept anything, except what seems to be the easiest for most people: the half-way, the almost, the just-about, the in-between.

I can accept anything, except what seems to be the easiest for most people: the half-way, the almost, the just-about, the in-between.

Ayn Rand
Men who reject the responsibility of thought and reason can only exist as parasites on the thinking of others.

Men who reject the responsibility of thought and reason can only exist as parasites on the thinking of others.

Ayn Rand
Self-sacrifice? But it is precisely the self that cannot and must not be sacrificed.

Self-sacrifice? But it is precisely the self that cannot and must not be sacrificed.

Ayn Rand
Self respect is something that can't be killed. The worst thing is to kill a man's pretense at it.

Self respect is something that can't be killed. The worst thing is to kill a man's pretense at it.

Ayn Rand
In this world, either you're virtuous or you enjoy yourself. Not both, lady, not both.

In this world, either you're virtuous or you enjoy yourself. Not both, lady, not both.

Ayn Rand
I take no pride in hopeless longing; I wouldn't hold a stillborn aspiration. I'd want to have it, to make it, to live it.

I take no pride in hopeless longing; I wouldn't hold a stillborn aspiration. I'd want to have it, to make it, to live it.

Ayn Rand
One loses everything when one loses one's sense of humor.

One loses everything when one loses one's sense of humor.

Ayn Rand
Ask yourself whether the dream of heaven and greatness should be left waiting for us in our graves-or whether it should be ours here and now and on this earth.

Ask yourself whether the dream of heaven and greatness should be left waiting for us in our graves-or whether it should be ours here and now and on this earth.

Ayn Rand
Within the extent of your knowledge, you are right.

Within the extent of your knowledge, you are right.

Ayn Rand
He liked to observe emotions; they were like red lanterns strung along the dark unknown of another's personality, marking vulnerable points.

He liked to observe emotions; they were like red lanterns strung along the dark unknown of another's personality, marking vulnerable points.

Ayn Rand
Reason is not automatic. Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it. Do not count on them. Leave them alone.

Reason is not automatic. Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it. Do not count on them. Leave them alone.

Ayn Rand
Power-lust is a weed that grows only in the vacant lots of an abandoned mind.

Power-lust is a weed that grows only in the vacant lots of an abandoned mind.

Ayn Rand
She thought how strange it would be if she ever said 'Hello' to him. One did not greet oneself each morning.

She thought how strange it would be if she ever said 'Hello' to him. One did not greet oneself each morning.

Ayn Rand
What is morality, she asked.
Judgement to distinguish right and wrong, vision to see the truth, and courage to act upon it, dedication to that which is good, integrity to stand by the good at any price.

What is morality, she asked. Judgement to distinguish right and wrong, vision to see the truth, and courage to act upon it, dedication to that which is good, integrity to stand by the good at any price.

Ayn Rand
Art is a selective re-creation of reality according to an artists metaphysical value judgments.

Art is a selective re-creation of reality according to an artists metaphysical value judgments.

Ayn Rand
The most depraved type of human being ... (is) the man without a purpose.

The most depraved type of human being ... (is) the man without a purpose.

Ayn Rand
But you see, the measure of hell you're able to endure is the measure of your love.

But you see, the measure of hell you're able to endure is the measure of your love.

Ayn Rand
Never ask people about your work.

Never ask people about your work.

Ayn Rand
It is not advisable to venture unsolicited opinions. You should spare yourself the embarrassing discovery of their exact value to your listener.

It is not advisable to venture unsolicited opinions. You should spare yourself the embarrassing discovery of their exact value to your listener.

Ayn Rand
Is it advisable to spread out all the conveniences of culture before people to whom a few steps up a stair to a library is a sufficient deterrent from reading?

Is it advisable to spread out all the conveniences of culture before people to whom a few steps up a stair to a library is a sufficient deterrent from reading?

Ayn Rand
I don't wish to be the symbol of anything. I'm only myself.

I don't wish to be the symbol of anything. I'm only myself.

Ayn Rand
The man who damns money has obtained it dishonorably; the man who respects it has earned it.

The man who damns money has obtained it dishonorably; the man who respects it has earned it.

Ayn Rand
Money will not purchase happiness for the man who has no concept of what he wants.

Money will not purchase happiness for the man who has no concept of what he wants.

Ayn Rand
When I die I hope to go to heaven--whatever that is--and I want to be able to afford the price of admission.

When I die I hope to go to heaven--whatever that is--and I want to be able to afford the price of admission.

Ayn Rand
It was the greatest sensation of existence: not to trust but to know.

It was the greatest sensation of existence: not to trust but to know.

Ayn Rand
A viler evil than to murder a man, is to sell him suicide as an act of virtue.

A viler evil than to murder a man, is to sell him suicide as an act of virtue.

Ayn Rand
Achieving life is not the equivalent of avoiding death.

Achieving life is not the equivalent of avoiding death.

Ayn Rand
I am. I think. I will.

I am. I think. I will.

Ayn Rand
For the first time since her return, she felt pain, a violent pain, but it made her feel alive, because it was worth feeling.

For the first time since her return, she felt pain, a violent pain, but it made her feel alive, because it was worth feeling.

Ayn Rand
There are two sides to every issue: one side is right and the other is wrong, but the middle is always evil.

There are two sides to every issue: one side is right and the other is wrong, but the middle is always evil.

Ayn Rand
Every form of happiness is private. Our greatest moments are personal, self-motivated, not to be touched

Every form of happiness is private. Our greatest moments are personal, self-motivated, not to be touched".

Ayn Rand
I think. I am. I will.

I think. I am. I will.

Ayn Rand
In a free society, one does not have to deal with those who are irrational. One is free to avoid them.

In a free society, one does not have to deal with those who are irrational. One is free to avoid them.

Ayn Rand
But there are people who'll try to hurt you through the good they see in you--knowing that it's the good, needing it and punishing you for it. Don't let it break you when you discover that.

But there are people who'll try to hurt you through the good they see in you--knowing that it's the good, needing it and punishing you for it. Don't let it break you when you discover that.

Ayn Rand
If one doesn't respect oneself one can have neither love nor respect for others.

If one doesn't respect oneself one can have neither love nor respect for others.

Ayn Rand
The worst guilt is to accept an unearned guilt.

The worst guilt is to accept an unearned guilt.

Ayn Rand
Don't think. Believe. Trust your heart, not your brain. Don't think. Feel. Believe.

Don't think. Believe. Trust your heart, not your brain. Don't think. Feel. Believe.

Ayn Rand
Civilization is the process of setting man free from men.

Civilization is the process of setting man free from men.

Ayn Rand
A rational man never distorts or corrupts his own standards and judgment in order to appeal to the irrationality, stupidity, or dishonesty of others.

A rational man never distorts or corrupts his own standards and judgment in order to appeal to the irrationality, stupidity, or dishonesty of others.

Ayn Rand
No speech is ever considered, but only the speaker. It's so much easier to pass judgement on a man than on an idea.

No speech is ever considered, but only the speaker. It's so much easier to pass judgement on a man than on an idea.

Ayn Rand
People want nothing but mirrors around them. To reflect them while they’re reflecting too ... Reflections of reflections and echoes of echoes. No beginning and no end. No center and no purpose.

People want nothing but mirrors around them. To reflect them while they’re reflecting too ... Reflections of reflections and echoes of echoes. No beginning and no end. No center and no purpose.

Ayn Rand
Worry is a waste of emotional reserve

Worry is a waste of emotional reserve".

Ayn Rand
Toohey:

Toohey: "Mr. Roark, we're alone here. Why don't you tell me what you think of me? In any words you wish. No one will hear us." Roark: "But I don't think of you.

Ayn Rand
The more you learn, the more you know that you know nothing.

The more you learn, the more you know that you know nothing.

Ayn Rand
Man is the only living species that has the power to act as his own destroyer - and that is the way he has acted through most of his history.

Man is the only living species that has the power to act as his own destroyer - and that is the way he has acted through most of his history.

Ayn Rand
Every man is free to rise as far as he's able or willing, but the degree to which he thinks determines the degree to which he'll rise.

Every man is free to rise as far as he's able or willing, but the degree to which he thinks determines the degree to which he'll rise.

Ayn Rand
The secrets of this earth are not for all men to see, but only for those who will seek them (pg. 52).

The secrets of this earth are not for all men to see, but only for those who will seek them (pg. 52).

Ayn Rand
Guilt is a rope that wears thin.

Guilt is a rope that wears thin.

Ayn Rand
Do it first and feel about it afterwards.' - Dagny Taggart

Do it first and feel about it afterwards.' - Dagny Taggart

Ayn Rand
I came here to say that I do not recognize anyone's right to one minute of my life.

I came here to say that I do not recognize anyone's right to one minute of my life.

Ayn Rand