Ayn Rand Quotes

Every major horror of history was committed in the name of an altruistic motive. Ayn Rand

Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one’s values. Ayn Rand

No one’s happiness but my own is in my power to achieve or to destroy. Ayn Rand

Civilization is the process of setting man free from men. Ayn Rand

Words are a lens to focus one’s mind. Ayn Rand

Anything may be betrayed, anyone may be forgiven, but not those who lack the courage of their own greatness. Ayn Rand

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

Force and mind are opposites; morality ends where the gun begins. Ayn Rand

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

To demand ‘sense’ is the hallmark of nonsense. Nature does not make sense. Nothing makes sense. Ayn Rand

When I disagree with a rational man, I let reality be our final arbiter; if I am right, he will learn; if I am wrong, I will; one of us will win, but both will profit. Ayn Rand

The purpose of morality is to teach you, not to suffer and die, but to enjoy yourself and live. Ayn Rand

When I die, I hope to go to Heaven, whatever the Hell that is. Ayn Rand

Upper classes are a nation’s past; the middle class is its future. Ayn Rand

Man is a being with free will; therefore, each man is potentially good or evil, and it’s up to him and only him (through his reasoning mind) to decide which he wants to be. Ayn Rand

Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage’s whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of his tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men. Ayn Rand

To me, there is only one form of human depravity – the man without a purpose. Ayn Rand

Individual rights are the means of subordinating society to moral law. Ayn Rand

If any part of your uncertainty, is a conflict between your heart and your mind – follow your mind. Ayn Rand

Contradictions do not exist. Whenever you think you are facing a contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong. Ayn Rand

The desire not to be anything is the desire not to be. Ayn Rand