To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
Money is a tool of exchange, which can't exist unless there are goods produced and men able to produce them. Money is the material shape of the principle that men who wish to deal with one another must deal by trade and give value for value.
Interpretation
Money serves as a medium for trade, dependent on human productivity and mutual exchange of value.
In this quote, Ayn Rand emphasizes the fundamental role of money as a means of exchange that reflects the productive efforts of individuals. She articulates that money is not merely a commodity, but a representation of the principle that trade must involve an equitable exchange of value; it highlights how human interaction through production and trade forms the basis of economic relationships.
In practice
In a discussion about the value of work during a seminar.
To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
The difference between animals and humans is that animals change themselves for the environment, but humans change the environment for themselves.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Take from the philosopher the pleasure of being heard and his desire for knowledge ceases.
We had been hopelessly labouring to plough waste lands; to make nationality grow in a place full of the certainty of God… Among the tribes our creed could be only like the desert grass – a beautiful swift seeming of spring; which, after a day’s heat, fell dusty.
Satan promises the best, but pays with the worst; he promises honor, and pays with disgrace; he promises pleasure, and pays with pain; he promises profit, and pays with loss, he promises life, and pays with death. But God pays as he promises; all his payments are made in pure gold.
We do not yet possess ourselves, and we know at the same time that we are much more.
No form of violence can ever be excused in a society that wishes to call itself decent
The villany you teach me I shall execute; and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.
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