Love is an expression and assertion of self-esteem, a response to one's own values in the person of another. One gains a profoundly personal, selfish joy from the mere existence of the person one loves. It is one's own personal, selfish happiness that one seeks, earns, and derives from love.
Ayn RandTo sell your soul is the easiest thing in the world. That's what everybody does every hour of his life. If I asked you to keep your soul - would you understand why that's much harder?
Ayn RandLaissez-faire capitalism is the only social system based on the recognition of individual rights and, therefore, the only system that bans force from social relationships.
Ayn RandThat which you call your soul or spirit is your consciousness, and that which you call 'free will' is your mind's freedom to think or not, the only will you have, your only freedom, the choice that controls all the choices you make and determines your life and your character.
Ayn RandEthics is a code of values which guide our choices and actions and determine the purpose and course of our lives.
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