When you see that trading is done, not by consent, but by compulsion - when you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing - when you see that money is flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors - when you see that men get richer by graft and by pull than by work, and your laws don't protect you against them, but protect them against you - when you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice - you may know that your society is doomed.

Rationality is the recognition of the fact that nothing can alter the truth and nothing can take precedence over that act of perceiving it.

Remember that rights are moral principles which define and protect a man's freedom of action, but impose no obligations on other men.

Never ask people. Not about your work. Don't you know what you want? How can you stand it, not to know?

John Galt is Prometheus who changed his mind. After centuries of being torn by vultures in payment for having brought to men the fire of the gods, he broke his chains—and he withdrew his fire—until the day when men withdraw their vultures.

To achieve, you need thought. You have to know what you are doing and that's real power.

I'm working to improve my methods, and every hour I save is an hour added to my life.