Altruism Quote by Ayn Rand
““Altruism holds that man has no right to exist for his own sake, that service to others is the only moral justification of his existence, and that self-sacrifice is his highest moral duty. The political expression of altruism is collectivism or statism, which holds that man's life and work belong to the state - to society, to the group, the gang, the race, the nation - and that the state may dispose of him in any way it pleases for the sake of whatever it deems to be its own tribal, collective good.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, 1957
Altruism demands self‑sacrifice and subordinates the individual to the group, justifying state control over personal life.
In simple terms: Altruism puts others before self, enabling collective control.
Key Takeaway
Question individual rights over collective demands.
Themes
individualism
ethics
politics
collectivism
state power
Mood
critical
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- activism
- public policy
- personal decision making
- community service
Key Concepts
Objectivism
moral philosophy
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How does one balance personal freedom with communal obligations?
- When is self‑sacrifice morally justified?
A Different Perspective
Collectivist societies may argue for shared responsibility and social safety nets.
![“[Altruism] is a moral system which holds that man has no right to exist for his own sake, that service to others is the sole justification of his existence, and that self-sacrifice is his highest moral duty, value and virtue. This is the moral base of collectivism, of all dictatorships.” quote by Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f16/ayn-rand-59_altruism_altruism-is-a-moral-system-which-holds-t_311034.jpg)
![“The secret dread of modern intellectuals, liberals and conservatives alike, the unadmitted terror at the root of their anxiety, which all of their current irrationalities are intended to stave off and to disguise, is the unstated knowledge that Soviet Russia [was] the full, actual, literal…” quote by Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/13e/ayn-rand-59_altruism_the-secret-dread-of-modern-intellectuals_966437.jpg)
