The Midnight Hour

I am currently reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Published in 1957, the novel is a fascinating exploration of the philosophical ideas of objectivism and the “virtue of selfishness.” Essentially, Rand uses a page-turning story to make a convincing argument that human desire (for money, notoriety, accomplishment, etc.) is the force that drives a society forward, and that such desire is inherently moral. As I read through it I continually find gems of quotations that exemplify both the rational and logical objectivist thinkers in the book and their emotional and illogical adversaries. From time to time I intend to post some of my favorties of these quotes. I don’t intend to fully explain the context of each one, so keep in mind it could be from a character I admire or detest. I also may paraphrase the quote (or flub a word or two), as I don’t have the book in front of me when I post. I will correct these after the fact when practical.

“Then what should a man do when he does something good?”

“Apologize.”

“Apologize? To whom?”

“To those who have not done it.” -James Taggart

“I intend to make a pile of money on the John Galt Line. I will have earned it.” -Dagny Taggart

“Are you taking responsibility for this?”

“I am.” -Dagny Taggart

[describing how, throughout her life, Dagny Taggart would take charge in an absence of leadership]

No one would openly consent to it, and no one would stand in her way.