To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
The great creators - the thinkers, the artists, the scientists, the inventors - stood alone against the men of their time. Every great new thought was opposed. Every great new invention was denounced. The first motor was considered foolish. The airplane was considered impossible... But the men of unborrowed vision went ahead. They fought, they suffered and they paid. But they won.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Great innovators face opposition but persevere to achieve success.
This quote by Ayn Rand emphasizes the struggles that great thinkers and creators face when introducing revolutionary ideas. It highlights the resilience required to defy societal norms and the eventual triumph that comes from unwavering commitment to one's vision, despite facing criticism and disbelief from peers.
Themes
CreativityInnovationVisionResilienceStruggle
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech to inspire young inventors.
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
Your calling isn’t something that somebody can tell you about. It’s what you feel. It is the thing that gives you juice. The thing that you are supposed to do. And nobody can tell you what that is. You know it inside yourself.
Oprah WinfreyRead
Listening to Dr. King on the radio inspired me. Coming under the influence of Jim Lawson inspired me to think that I, too, could do something.
John LewisRead
My heroes are the ones who survived doing it wrong, who made mistakes, but recovered from them.
BonoRead
I want you to get excited about who you are, what you are, what you have, and what can still be for you. I want to inspire you to see that you can go far beyond where you are right now.
Virginia SatirRead
I never thought a role model should be negative.
Michael JordanRead
Racism and injustice and violence sweep our world, bringing a tragic harvest of heartache and death.
Billy GrahamRead