Collectivism requires self-sacrifice, the subordination of one's interests to those of others.
Ayn RandSelf respect is something that can't be killed. The worst thing is to kill a man's pretense at it.
Ayn RandAn emotion as much tells you nothing about reality, beyond the fact that something makes you feel something.
Ayn RandIn western civilization, the period ruled by mysticism is known as the 'Dark Ages' and the 'Middle Ages'. I will assume that you know the nature of that period and the state of human existence in those ages. The Renaissance broke the rules of the mystics. "Renaissance" means the "rebirth". Few people today will care to remind you that it was a rebirth of reason - of man's mind.
Ayn Rand