Ayn Rand was an opinionated woman. From characters in her novels to philosophical books to personal interviews and essays, Rand was not shy to express her thoughts through many avenues. Here are some interesting quotes by Ayn Rand on a range of issues like individualism, love, living, and reason.
Individualism
This, my body and spirit, this is the end of my quest. I wished to know the meaning of things. I am the Meaning.
Anthem
This quote is asserting Ayn Rand’s view that the ultimate goal of existence is the individual. This is a recurrent theme in all of Rand’s novels and books. This quote was said in the novella Anthem by the character Equality 7-2521 when he first learned the word “I” which is symbolic of his finding himself after spending all his life in a collectivist dictatorship.
I started my life with a single absolute: that the world was mine to shape in the image of my highest values and never to be given up to a lesser standard, no matter how long or hard the struggle
Atlas Shrugged
Another expression of Individualism by Rand, this quote is talking about being uncompromising in the pursuit of one’s values and standards despite obstacles. It is an encouraging mantra to live by which Ayn Rand expressed in her famous novel, Atlas Shrugged.
My happiness needs no higher aim to vindicate it
Anthem
This quote from Anthem is another individualistic view that a person’s happiness is an end in itself and not a means to an end. Rand always believed that there is no cause greater than the happiness of an individual and that the pursuit of happiness for an individual should take precedence over any collective interests.
Civilization is the process of setting man free from men
Believing that men as a communal entity are a burden on man as an individual, Rand likens civilization to individuals that have no communal obligations to burden them.
But why should you care what people will say? All you have to do is please yourself
This is a quote that some may find controversial, Rand thinks that an individual should seek self-pleasure without qualms about public opinion.
Love
To say “I love you” one must first be able to say the “I”
This is Rand’s figurative way of saying that one should first know one’s self and love one’s self before one can love another.
The measure of hell you’re able to endure is the measure of your love
This quote is saying that endurance is an inextricable component of love and that a measure of endurance is a measure of love.
I regret nothing. There have been things I missed, but I ask no questions because I have loved it, such as it has been, even the moments of emptiness, even the unanswered-and that I loved it, that is the unanswered in my life
The Fountainhead
This is a quote about savoring love and having no regrets about loving even when things go wrong.
Love should be treated like a business deal, but every business deal has its own terms and its own currency. And in love, the currency is virtue. You love people, not for what you do for them or what they do for you. You love them for the values, the virtues, which they have achieved in their own character
This was Rand’s refute to an interviewer who argued that love is altruistic rather than selfish. Rand responded that love is a selfish quest for values and virtues in other people.
Living
Achieving life is not the equivalent of avoiding death
The purpose of morality is to teach you not to suffer and die, but to enjoy yourself and live
The two quotes above have the same central message, that as a human one is to enjoy and relish the experience of living and not just exist. Rand is one of those enthusiastic humans that believed life is beautiful and to be enjoyed and she was expressive about it.
One loses everything when one loses one’s sense of humor
This is an expression of the great importance of humor in a person’s life.
The ladder of success is best climbed by stepping on the rungs of opportunity
This is saying that success can be achieved by taking advantage of opportunities.
Never think of pain or dangers or enemies a moment longer than is necessary to fight them
Atlas Shrugged
This is advice to not waste thoughts on challenges but rather to direct one’s efforts to solve them.
There is a great satisfaction to be found in the food which we need and obtain by our own hand
This is an ode to self-sufficiency and the satisfaction that comes with it.
Reason
Rationalization is a process of not perceiving reality, but of attempting to make reality fit one’s emotions’ –Philosophy, Who Needs It?
Philosophy: Who Needs It?
There are no evil thoughts except one; the refusal to think
We can ignore reality but we cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality
Men who reject the responsibility of thought and reason can only exist as parasites on the thinking of others
Reason is not automatic. Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it. Do not count on them. Leave them alone.
When I disagree with a rational man, I let reality be our arbiter; if I am right, he will learn; if I am wrong, I will; one of us will win but both will profit
These quotes all revolve around the idea of exploring the power of the mind and they express Ayn Rand’s passion for constructive thinking and open-mindedness and objective analysis of reality.
FAQs
Who was Ayn Rand married to?
Ayn Rand was married to Frank O’Connor, they met on the set of a movie where Ayn Rand was working as a junior screenwriter and Frank O’Connor was an upcoming actor. They got married on April 15, 1929, and they stayed married for fifty years until Frank O’Connor died in 1979.
What is Ayn Rand’s date of birth?
Ayn Rand was born on February 2, 1905, in St Petersburg, Russia.
Does Ayn Rand have any siblings?
Yes, Ayn Rand had two younger siblings. Ayn Rand was the eldest of the three daughters of Zinovy and Anna Rosenbaum. Her siblings’ names were Nora and Natasha.
