Brothers Quote by Ayn Rand
““We have followed you," they said, "and we shall follow you wherever you go. If danger threatens you, we shall face it also. If it be death, we shall die with you. You are damned, and we wish to share your damnation." They looked upon us, and their voice was low, but there was bitterness and triumph in their voice: "Your eyes are as a flame, but our brothers have neither hope nor fire. Your mouth is cut of granite, but our brothers are soft and humble. Your head is high, but our brothers cringe. You walk, but our brothers crawl. We wish to be damned with you, rather than blessed with all our brothers. Do as you please with us, but do not send us away from you." Then they knelt, and bowed their golden head before us. We had never thought of that which we did. We bent to raise the Golden One to their feet, but when we touched them, it was as if madness had stricken us. We seized their body and we pressed our lips to theirs. The Golden One breathed once, and their breath was a moan, and then their arms closed around us. We stood together for a long time. And we were frightened that we had lived for twenty-one years and had never known what joy is possible to men.””
About This Quote
The passage portrays a fanatic devotion, offering both loyalty and a warning about losing individuality in blind allegiance.
In simple terms: Blind loyalty can erase self.
Key Takeaway
Beware of losing self.
Themes
loyalty
fanaticism
identity
Mood
cautionary
philosophical
Type
quote
reflection
When to use this quote
- political movements
- religious sects
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
cult dynamics
groupthink
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you value loyalty over autonomy?
- When does devotion become harmful?
A Different Perspective
Extreme devotion may suppress personal freedom.
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