To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
Let me be the child in the story and declare that the Emperor is naked β or that America is culturally bankrupt.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests the importance of speaking the truth, even when it challenges accepted norms or beliefs.
Ayn Rand emphasizes the necessity of honest expression and the courage to challenge prevailing ideologies, comparing it to a child's innocent truth-telling in a story. In doing so, she critiques societal and cultural shortcomings, asserting that addressing uncomfortable truths is essential for growth and understanding.
Themes
TruthSocietyCourageHonestyCulture
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about cultural values, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of honesty.
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.
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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.
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
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You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.
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When examining evidence relevant to a given belief, people are inclined to see what they expect to see, and conclude what they expect to conclude. Information that is consistent with our pre-existing beliefs is often accepted at face value, whereas evidence that contradicts them is critically scrutinized and discounted. Our beliefs may thus be less responsive than they should to the implications of new information
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God grant you all your desires and accept my own hearty thanks for all your attention to me. Although indeed, those attentions have tried me more than death can now terrify me.
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