"I swear by my life, and love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine."
by:
Ayn Rand
[Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum] (1905-1982) Russian-American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter
Source:
Atlas Shrugged
Rating:
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Reader comments about this quote:
I think that I haven't enough freedom.
 -- Croitoru Laurentiu-Aurel, Ramnicu Sarat     
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    It's just what i needed to hear.
     -- tommy henderson, honolulu      
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    I have NO desire to provide welfare to anyone, yet our representatives take my unconstitutionally collected taxes and give it to anyone who asks, regardless of being a U.S. citizen (i.e. illegal aliens, tsunami victims, third world countries, etc.). If private individuals want to give them welfare ... fine! HEY GOVERNMENT ... quit using my money for their welfare!
     -- Joe, Rochester, MI     
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     -- warren, olathe      
    Okay, but that doesn't always work because often rights/happiness are intertwined between people.
     -- Anonymous     
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     -- Anonymous      
    At the natural law and secular context that it was given, ABSOLUTELY ! ! ! All inalienable rights are a lawful faculty of birth and depend on / interact with no third parties. It is "ORDER" (chaos) and "JUSTICE" (injustice) that facilitate (inhibit or deny) inalienable right expression. To live for the sake of another man is an individual sovereign's choice (by contract, declaration or otherwise). To ask or demand another man to live for my (or another's) sake falls into a scope and domain of slavery. With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, I have pledged to my fellow man my life (time, energy, etc.), finances and sacred honor - it is a gift from God and is mine to freely / charitably give.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    In the context spoken, yes. But ! As Mike provides the opposite side of the coin. Sacrifice is the greatest gift to secure and protect the natural rights of others. Then not to instill a selfish point of view, the choice is made by the individual at freewill. I thank the God of nature, there are those willing to sacrifice their lives for others, because of the belief in a higher cause than their own survival ! Many perish due to the lack of knowledge tempered through experience. The Oath is more than just words.
    Semper Fi
     -- Ronw13, Yachats Or     
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    We are free to serve; for many it is what fulfills them. But it must be a choice, not a duty. The attempt to legislate behavior is but another form of tyranny.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Well said E Archer. Ayn is talking about the government's taking from Peter to pay Paul syndrome.
     -- cal, lewisville, tx     
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     -- jim k, Austin      
     -- Warrdoc, Elk Grove,      
     -- jim k, Austin      
     
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