To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
The uncontested absurdities of today are the accepted slogans of tomorrow. They come to be accepted by degrees, by dint of constant pressure on one side and constant retreat on the other - until one day when they are suddenly declared to be the country's official ideology.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Societal norms and beliefs often shift from absurdity to acceptance over time through gradual influence and pressure.
Ayn Rand's quote suggests that what is considered absurd or illogical in one era can eventually become the widely accepted ideology in another. This transformation occurs slowly, influenced by persistent persuasion and the gradual abandonment of opposing viewpoints. As beliefs are molded and altered through societal forces, those once deemed irrational may become pillars of the national thought, illustrating how human perceptions change and evolve over time.
Themes
AbsurdityIdeologySocietyBeliefPressure
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about changing social norms, one might quote this to highlight how perceptions shift over generations.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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