There must be only three supreme values which govern a person's life: Reason, Purpose, and Self-esteem. Reason, as his only tool of knowledge--Purpose, as his choice of the happiness which that tool must proceed to achieve--Self-esteem, as his inviolate certainty that his mind is competent to think and his person is worthy of happiness, which means: is worthy of living. These three values imply and require all of man's virtues, and all his virtues pertain to the relation of existence and consciousness: rationality, independence, integrity, honesty, justice, productiveness, pride.
Ayn RandEver since Kant divorced reason from reality, his intellectual descendants have been diligently widening the breach.
Ayn RandIf any part of your uncertainty, is a conflict between your heart and your mind - follow your mind.
Ayn RandIt's the person who would sell his soul for a nickel, who is loudest in proclaiming his hatred of money.
Ayn Randin architecture, mediocrity is more glaringly obvious than in other lines - because there's a huge, physical object such as a building to demonstrate it.
Ayn RandAny alleged 'right' of one man, which necessitates the violation of the rights of another, is not and cannot be a right.
Ayn RandIf men want to oppose war, it is statism that they must oppose. So long as they hold the tribal notion that the individual is sacrificial fodder for the collective, that some men have the right to rule others by force, and that some (any) alleged “good” can justify it-there can be no peace within a nation and no peace among nations.
Ayn Rand