Ayn Rand Quote

"Until and unless you discover that money is the root of all good, you ask for your own destruction. When money ceases to be the tool by which men deal with one another, then men become the tools of men. Blood, whips and guns—or dollars. Take your choice -- there is no other -- and your time is running out."

by:	Ayn Rand [Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum] (1905-1982) Russian-American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter
Source:	Atlas Shrugged, p. 387 (1957)
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Categories:	Money, Power, Destruction
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In the absence of Redemption, the root of all good is the humanity exhibited by those in whom virtue resides, if vestigially, practical expressions of the presence of which render this life sufferable, generally.  -- Patrick Henry, Red Hill
-- Ronw13, Yachats OR
OOPS ! ! !, missed that one. Root of all good? WHAT ? ? ?absolutely NOT ! the Creator would take top spot there - then there would be a list; love, hope, charity, etc. There is something to the "tool" thing - kinda sorta, hmmm. When money was replaced by a debt currency, a system of master / slave was implemented BUT, that doesn't completely fit the quote's focus. I refuse to be limited to a choice of "blood, whips and guns-or dollars. I choose God, law and liberty.  -- Mike, Norwalk
Remember that the Bible says the 'lust' for money is the root of all evil, not money in and of itself. I would not agree that money is the root of all good, but that honest money is the security of honest trade. Money is the storage of energy/power. Without a currency (money), it becomes difficult to trade goods and services, and the raw exercise of power is the only other option. If however the currency can be created and destroyed at whim by men with control over the issuance of currency, money ceases to be a medium of exchange but a tool for theft. Honest money = good, creating money without backing = bad. Grisham's Law: bad money replaces the good.  -- E Archer, NYC      2
The lack of money is the root of a lot of evil.  -- jim k, Austin      2
I feel she meant commerce and if money is evil then why do charities beg for it and churches pass the offering plate? ?? Few if any are self sufficient now so money is the most important item we have. We cannot exist without this medium of exchange. Having money is not wrong . The love of money is.  -- cal, Lewisville, tx.      2 1
cal, Your comment makes a lot of sense. I like it.  -- jim k, Austin      1
Money is exchanged for 'goods' of equal value. To issue money without a backing in goods is to issue 'bad' money.' Real money is therefore 'good' and bad money is in fact 'bad' -- how bad depends on how much is stolen with it. In the case of Americans, not only has the unpayable federal debt been laid at their feet to pay perpetual interest on, taken directly out of their pay checks, this funny money system has become a very real 'evil' with no plan to end it.  -- E Archer, NYC      1
Money answers all things. KJB Solomon. Barter and trade in simplicity for the least, works best. Rural life is and can be more satisfying, less clutter. But for industry sake, corralling of needed labor, such as the civil war, a bitter thorn never removed. Equity, equal trade without oppression should be the goal globally. Obviously merchandising and consumerism through industrialism prey upon a trapped people. This by way of Investment Banking practices of usury and undue taxation of person and property. If this world wants peace, Some People, are going to have to get a grip of those that work for THEM. Plunder and lip service have make a mess of the entire place.  -- Ronw13, Yachats OR      1
The love of money is the root of all evil. The Spirit of God is good and the root thereof. Seek after that which good is. king David and Plato in one accord ! The root of true Republicanism. Agrarianism feeds the kings table. Be Gentle, Fare and app to Teach others the same. There is a place for industry, but NEVER at the cost of whips and chains !! Man's ego for greatness destroys the world. A servant brought up delicately, later becomes a son.  -- Ronw13, Yachats OR      1
More harm has been done by GOV, under the guise of a equalizing income, that has ever been done by the pursuit of wealth. Money earned by an individual is a voucher that proves that he has served someone else's interest. Sadly our GOV. Has counterfeited that honorable voucher into a form of vote buying program by a system of government where the least capable to administer are elected by the least capable of being productive, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers. That is the root of all evil, To pretend to aid the citizenry in exchange for their vote and then robing their self-reliance, dignity and self-respect. "If you take away a Man's ability to be hungry cold and wet, he will cease to be a man but a pet” Old Puerto Rican Proverb  -- Antonio, Atlanta      1

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