Saturday, October 30, 2010

Quote of the Day: Ayn Rand

So you think that money is the root of all evil? Have you ever asked what is the root of money? Money is a tool of exchange, which can't exist unless there are goods produced and men able to produce them. Money is the material shape of the principle that men who wish to deal with one another must deal by trade and give value for value. Money is not the tool of the moochers, who claim your product by tears, or of the looters, who take it from you by force. Money is made possible only by the men who produce. Is this what you consider evil?

~ Ayn Rand, from Atlas Shrugged

4 comments:

  1. Many people think the Bible say "money is the root of all evil". Actually it says "...the love of money...". George Bernard Shaw turned it around and said "the lack of money is the root of all evil."

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  2. Robert, right as always. From the King James verision, 1 Timothy 6:10--

    For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

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  3. I've read the book, and while I don't agree with everything and I am not an Objectivist, there are quite a few gems in there, such as this quote.

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  4. I have yet to get completely through Atlas Shrugged. I did make it through The Fountainhead. Like you, I am not an Objectivist, but do agree with some of Rand's philosophy.

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