Atlas Shrugged

Intelligence? It is such a rare, precarious spark that flashes for a moment somewhere among men, and vanishes. One cannot tell its nature, or its future . . . or its death. . . .”

“Times change, and people change with the times—the wise ones do. Wisdom lies in knowing when to remember and when to forget. Consistency is not a habit of mind which it is wise to practice or to expect of the human race.”

“That’s what’s strange about him. I know that he’s a liar, a loafer, a cheap playboy, the most viciously irresponsible waste of a human being I ever imagined possible. Yet, when I look at him, I feel that if ever there was a man to whom I would entrust my life, he’s the one.”

There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What’s there in that for any

You keep pushing out of your mind the thoughts which you believe to be evil. They do it, because they want to avoid effort.

He was no worse than anybody, only smarter. Some get caught at it and some don’t—that’s the only difference. . . .

Whenever you think that you are facing a contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong.”

“Free scientific inquiry? The first adjective is redundant.”

He liked to observe emotions; they were like red lanterns strung along the dark unknown of another’s personality, marking vulnerable points.