We are on strike, we, the men of the mind. We are on strike against self-immolation. We are on strike against the creed of unearned rewards and unrewarded duties. We are on strike against the dogma that the pursuit of one's happiness is evil. We are on strike against the doctrine that life is guilt.
Ayn RandShe was incapable of love for any object not of her own choice and she resented anyone's demand for it.
Ayn RandI got the idea [for Anthem's theme] in my school days, in Soviet Russia, when I heard all the vicious attacks on individualism, and asked myself what the world would be like if men lost the word 'I.'
Ayn RandWhy have you been staring at me ever since we met? Because Iโm not the Gail Wynand youโd heard about. You see, I love you. And love is exception-making. If you were in love youโd want to be broken, trampled, ordered, dominated, because thatโs the impossible, in the inconceivable for you in your relations with people. That would be the one gift, the great exception youโd want to offer the man you loved. But it wouldnโt be easy for you.
Ayn Rand