Ah, there's nothing like tea in the afternoon. When the British Empire collapses, historians will find that it had made but two invaluable contributions to civilization - this tea ritual and the detective novel.

But you see," said Roark quietly, "I have, let’s say, sixty years to live. Most of that time will be spent working. I’ve chosen the work I want to do. If I find no joy in it, then I’m only condemning myself to sixty years of torture. And I can find the joy only if I do my work in the best way possible to me. But the best is a matter of standards—and I set my own standards. I inherit nothing. I stand at the end of no tradition. I may, perhaps, stand at the beginning of one.

Every period ruled by mystics was an era of stagnation and want, when most men were on strike against existence.

In order to fight any issue, it is necessary to fight for something, not merely against something.

The worst guilt is to accept an undeserved guilt — and that is what you have been doing all your life.

Art is a selective re-creation of reality according to an artists metaphysical value judgments.

To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it.