Quote

Serenity comes from the ability to say “Yes” to existence. Courage comes from the ability to say “No” to the wrong choices made by others.

Ayn Rand

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Ayn Rand
Age: 77 †
Born: 1905
Born: February 2
Died: 1982
Died: March 6
Essayist
Journalist
Literary Critic
Novelist
Philosopher
Playwright
Science Fiction Writer
Screenwriter
St. Petersburg
Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum
Comes
Serenity
Others
Bravery
Made
Novelists
Courage
Existence
Choices
Wrong
Ability

More quotes by Ayn Rand

Image
Who was it that said he needed a fulcrum? Give me an unobstructed right-of-way and I'll show them how to move the earth!
Ayn Rand
Image
It's the person who would sell his soul for a nickel, who is loudest in proclaiming his hatred of money.
Ayn Rand
Image
There are two sides to every issue: one side is right and the other is wrong, but the middle is always evil.
Ayn Rand
Image
The charming aspect of Christmas is the fact that it expresses good will in a cheerful, happy, benevolent, non-sacrificial way. One says: “Merry Christmas”-not “Weep and Repent.” And the good will is expressed in a material, earthly form-by giving presents to one's friends, or by sending them cards in token of remembrance . . . .
Ayn Rand
Image
Allies never trust each other, but that doesn't spoil their effectiveness.
Ayn Rand
Image
If you want to save capitalism there is only one type of argument that you should adopt, the only one that has ever won in any moral issue: the argument from self-esteem. Check your premises, convince yourself of the rightness of your cause, then fight for capitalism with full, moral certainty.
Ayn Rand
Image
The basic need of the creator is independence. The reasoning mind cannot work under any form of compulsion. It cannot be curbed, sacrificed or subordinated to any consideration whatsoever. It demands total independence in function and in motive.
Ayn Rand
Image
By what he chooses to present and by how he presents it, any author expresses his fundamental, metaphysical values.
Ayn Rand
Image
I think, therefore I'll think.
Ayn Rand
Image
Whatever their future, at the dawn of their lives, men seek a noble vision of man's nature and of life's potential.
Ayn Rand
Image
Since time immemorial and pre-industrial, 'greed' has been the accusation hurled at the rich by the concrete-bound illiterates who were unable to conceive of the source of wealth or of the motivation of those who produce it.
Ayn Rand
Image
To deal with men by force is as impractical as to deal with nature by persuasion.
Ayn Rand
Image
Let us destroy, but don't let us pretend that we are commiting an act of virtue.
Ayn Rand
Image
To abstain from condemning a torturer, is to become an accessory to the torture and murder of his victims.
Ayn Rand
Image
The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren
Ayn Rand
Image
Political freedom cannot exist without economic freedom a free mind and a free market are corollaries.
Ayn Rand
Image
Show me your achievement, and the knowledge will give me courage for mine.
Ayn Rand
Image
Don't help me or serve me, but let me see it once, because I need it. Don't work for my happiness, my brothers — show me yours — show me that it is possible — show me your achievement — and the knowledge will give me courage for mine.
Ayn Rand
Image
It only stands to reason that where there's sacrifice, there's someone collecting the sacrificial offerings. Where there's service, there is someone being served. The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master.
Ayn Rand
Image
Love is our response to our highest values.
Ayn Rand