Is Ayn Rand's most popular quote actually ethical to use?

Posted by BrettRocketSci 4 years, 7 months ago to Philosophy
34 comments | Share | Flag

Of all the powerful and memorable lines from Ayn Rand and her fictional characters, over the years this one has become the most popular:
"The Question Isn’t Who Is Going to Let Me, It’s Who Is Going to Stop Me."
Do a search on Amazon for that quote and you'll find it on a lot of products. That's exciting and encouraging to me.
The issue is, she never said that, exactly. It's a paraphrase and condensation from a conversation with Howard Roark in The Fountainhead. The link I provided from The Quote Investigator has a good recounting and explanation for it's evolution over the years.
I happen to love this quote. And I want to use it with a book project I have in the works. But another Objectivist told me that it isn't appropriate to use because it's not actually an accurate quote from Ayn Rand.
Yet, it does remain true to the original source and sentiment. And it has brought Ayn Rand into more popular culture awareness. The more this quote is used and spread, the better I say.
What's the reaction and judgment of others here in our Gulch? I would love to see an intelligent discussion and debate.
Thanks, Brett

All Comments

  • Posted by drjmetz 4 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    That should work (sorry for the delay - for some reason I didn't get the notification until just now).
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ jdg 4 years, 7 months ago
    I've read all her books, and until now I have never heard that sentence as a quote from her. I guess that it must be from another source.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by BrettRocketSci 4 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes, that's the source. I agree the main concept and sentiment is the same. And most of the language. I take your answer is it's still a valid quote. Thanks for your reply.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by cranedragon 4 years, 7 months ago
    Not the most popular, but my favorite -- when Dagny sees Ken Danagger in the Gulch and thinks -- to hold an unchanging youth is to reach, at the end, the vision with which one started.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by BrettRocketSci 4 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Thanks, however my plan is for this stand on its own. It will be on the cover actually. Putting a long clarification or disclaimer will be very... unappealing.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by BrettRocketSci 4 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I believe you are right. People like the quote on its own. Many of them then think "Who is this Ayn Rand?" or "I think I've heard of her...". It's all good to get her name out there.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by BrettRocketSci 4 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Thanks for this suggestion. What if after her name I put "(paraphrased)" ? I will research the proper convention for doing something like that.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by BrettRocketSci 4 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Thanks for your reply. For a while I think that was her most popular or well-known phrase. But times change with what becomes popular.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by BrettRocketSci 4 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    You are missing the distinction of the criticism (question) that it is not a literal use of her words in the book. It's a paraphrase. That was the reason for the objection to use it as a quote.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Jstork 4 years, 7 months ago
    It is a good statement as long as it is not in reference to nefarious activities.
    If the government doesn't like it: they will stop you. If there are no laws or regulations regarding the activity, they will create them (even if they are rather arbitrary) to do their best to stop you.
    Sorry: that got political.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by TheRogue1000 4 years, 7 months ago
    Brett: I consulted with the spirit of Miss Rand and she said, "Go For It!"

    Eric
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by KevinSchwinkendorf 4 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes, but the radical Left is only for "Free Speech" when it agrees with them. If not, well then, "YOU'RE A RACIST!!!!!!!" - Consider "antifa."
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by KevinSchwinkendorf 4 years, 7 months ago
    Interesting situation - It might not be a direct quote, but is representative of a condensation of actual quotes. I heard from a friend once that this also describes the opening speech that George C. Scott gives, as General Patton, in the opening scene of the movie by his name, "Patten" (remember, with a giant American flag behind Patten). This friend of mine (now deceased), was a co-worker in my engineering company, but was also an M-1 Abrams tank commander in the Oregon National Guard, and a real history buff. He said that Gen. Pattern never gave "that speech" (in the movie), but it was an accurate (and representative) condensation of many speeches that he gave to his troops. I say, if that kind of "dramatic license" works for Hollywood, why not for us?
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by STEVEDUNN46 4 years, 7 months ago
    Who really cares what any one else thinks. You are free to use it any way you want. Who is going to stop you?
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by DrZarkov99 4 years, 7 months ago
    I've carried the thought through in a slightly different way. When asked about whether or not I (or they) could accomplish a challenging goal, I would respond "There's only one person who can stop you, and that's yourself."
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by dansail 4 years, 7 months ago
    I actually use...
    "I swear by my life, and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine." - John Galt
    ... as the signature line on my e-mails. I thought that was the more popular quote...
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by pamzt 4 years, 7 months ago
    As one who has gratuitously used the quote, we should continue to do so. It can be though provoking or considered radical in our current state of affairs
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by exceller 4 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    That was my though process as well.

    A quote like this would certainly be embraced by the radical left.

    The fact that it is attributed to AR is an added plus. It would not bother the left for a second that they put AR on the "burn her books" list. There is no ethical or moral compass there.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ Thoritsu 4 years, 7 months ago
    For your own use, the paraphrase idea from drjmetz is perfect.

    I like the idea that this is a bait for a hook. Without knowing the source, this quote would take off today. If it were attributed it to Rose the Riveter, Megan Rapinoe or Colin Kapernick it will vigorously thrive.

    I'd love one of those a bumper sticker, like my "Legalize Freedom" sticker. Nice conversation piece, that no one disagrees with. Then when you discuss it, they start thinking.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by maxgeoac 4 years, 7 months ago
    You can always write it as "A quote that is often attributed to Ayn Rand, yet is truly on a paraphrase of her work is..." This not only corrects the narrative on the "quote", but also puts it in the correct perspective.
    Reply | Permalink  

  • Comment hidden. Undo