One can study what exists and how consciousness functions; but one cannot analyze (or “prove”) existence as such, or consciousness as such. These are irreducible primaries. (An attempt to “prove” them is self-contradict ory: it is an attempt to “prove” existence by means of nonexistence, and consciousness by means of unconsciousness .)

Ayn Rand

Categorized in : Mean Self Study

There is no difference between communism and socialism, except in the means of achieving the same ultimate end: communism proposes to enslave men by force, socialism - by vote. It is merely the difference between murder and suicide.

suicide men mean

When you see that trading is done, not by consent, but by compulsion - when you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing - when you see that money is flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors - when you see that men get richer by graft and by pull than by work, and your laws don't protect you against them, but protect them against you - when you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice - you may know that your society is doomed.

sacrifice honesty men

We can evade reality, but we cannot evade the consequences of eva... by Ayn Rand

We can evade reality, but we cannot evade the consequences of evading reality

oil liberty reality

A businessman cannot force you to buy his product; if he makes a mistake, he suffers the consequences; if he fails, he takes the loss. If bureaucrat makes a mistake, you suffer the consequences; if he fails, he passes the loss on to you.

businessman suffering mistake

We are born into this world unarmed - our mind is our only weapon... by Ayn Rand

We are born into this world unarmed - our mind is our only weapon.

weapons mind world

When you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice, you may know that your society is doomed

sacrifice honesty self

If [people] place such things as friendship and family ties above their own productive work, yes, then they are immoral. Friendship, family life and human relationships are not primary in a man's life. A man who places others first, above his own creative work, is an emotional parasite.

productive-work emotional men

You can ignore reality, but you can't ignore the consequences of... by Ayn Rand

You can ignore reality, but you can't ignore the consequences of ignoring reality.

consequence reality

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

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

dance teamwork motivational

Freedom comes from seeing the ignorance of your critics and discovering the emptiness of their virtue.

emptiness virtue ignorance

The difference between a welfare state and a totalitarian state i... by Ayn Rand

The difference between a welfare state and a totalitarian state is a matter of time.

differences liberty matter

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

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

self-worth self-esteem men

Political freedom cannot exist without economic freedom; a free mind and a free market are corollaries.

freedom political mind

The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws.

power wisdom men

The difference between [socialism and fascism] is superficial and purely formal, but it is significant psychologically: it brings the authoritarian nature of a planned economy crudely into the open. The main characteristic of socialism (and of communism) is public ownership of the means of production, and, therefore, the abolition of private property. The right to property is the right of use and disposal. Under fascism, men retain the semblance or pretense of private property, but the government holds total power over its use and disposal.

power men mean

America's abundance was created not by public sacrifices to the common good, but by the productive genius of free men who pursued their own personal interests and the making of their own private fortunes. They did not starve the people to pay for America's industrialization. They gave the people better jobs, higher wages, and cheaper goods with every new machine they invented, with every scientific discovery or technological advance- and thus the whole country was moving forward and profiting, not suffering, every step of the way.

jobs country moving

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

humor rights philosophy

If one's actions are honest, one does not need the predated confi... by Ayn Rand

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

atlas doe needs

Do not let your fire go out ... Do not let the Hero in your soul perish ... Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours.

recovery real hero

Government 'help' to business is just as disastrous as government persecution... the only way a government can be of service to national prosperity is by keeping its hands off.

government business witty