--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The reason I got involved in public…" description: "\"The reason I got involved in public service, by and large, if I had to credit one thinker, one person, it would be Ayn Rand. The fight we are in here, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f7/paul-ryan-869_collectivism_the-reason-i-got-involved-in-public-serv_1251447.jpg" --- # The reason I got involved in public service, by and large… ![“The reason I got involved in public service, by and large, if I had to credit one thinker, one person, it would be Ayn Rand. The fight we are in here, make no mistake about it, is a fight of individualism versus collectivism.” quote by Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f7/paul-ryan-869_collectivism_the-reason-i-got-involved-in-public-serv_1251447.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f7/paul-ryan-869_collectivism_the-reason-i-got-involved-in-public-serv_1251447.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f7/paul-ryan-869_collectivism_the-reason-i-got-involved-in-public-serv_1251447.jpg) > “The reason I got involved in public service, by and large, if I had to credit one thinker, one person, it would be Ayn Rand. The fight we are in here, make no mistake about it, is a fight of individualism versus collectivism.” [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. My public service motivation stems from Ayn Rand; the conflict is individualism versus collectivism. **In simple terms:** My service is inspired by Ayn Rand’s individualism vs collectivism. Key Takeaway Champion individual rights. Themes politics philosophy individualism Mood analytical determined Type political philosophical When to use this quote - government - education - activism - legislation Key Concepts liberalism collectivism public policy Questions to Reflect On - How can individual rights coexist with social welfare? - What balance best serves society? A Different Perspective Collectivist policies can address inequality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Collectivism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collectivism/) [Credit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/credit/) [Individualism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individualism/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Public service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-service/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Thinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinker/) ## Related quotes > [The fight we are in here, make no mistake about it, is a fight of individualism versus collectivism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/the-fight-we-are-in-here-make-no-mistake-about-it-is-a-fight-of/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [And when you look at the twentieth-century experiment with collectivism-that Ayn Rand, more than anybody else, did such a good job of articulating the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/and-when-you-look-at-the-twentieth-century-experiment-with/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [The reason I got involved in public service, by and large, if I had to credit one thinker, one person, it would be Ayn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/the-reason-i-got-involved-in-public-service-by-and-large-if-i-had-to-2/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [This thought-provoking novel portrays the absurdity of our overbearing government bureaucracy with a story that is entertaining and fast-paced. The Taxman Cometh will become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grover-norquist/this-thought-provoking-novel-portrays-the-absurdity-of-our/) [Grover Norquist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grover-norquist/) > [Margaret Thatcher was a 20th century visionary who understood the power of individual freedom versus the tyranny of government collectivism. She was a loyal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/margaret-thatcher-was-a-20th-century-visionary-who-understood-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If somebody is going to try to paste a person's view on epistemology to me, then give me Thomas Aquinas. Don't give me Ayn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/if-somebody-is-going-to-try-to-paste-a-person-s-view-on-epistemology/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [ I reject her \[Ayn Rand's\] philosophy. It's an atheist philosophy. It reduces human interactions down to mere contracts and it is antithetical to my… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/i-reject-her-ayn-rand-s-philosophy-it-s-an-atheist-philosophy-it/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [Ayn Rand more than anyone else did a fantastic job of explaining the morality of capitalism, the morality of individualism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/ayn-rand-more-than-anyone-else-did-a-fantastic-job-of-explaining-the/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [I grew up reading Ayn Rand and it taught me quite a bit about who I am and what my value systems are, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/i-grew-up-reading-ayn-rand-and-it-taught-me-quite-a-bit-about-who-i/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [I think Ayn Rand did the best job of anybody to build a moral case of capitalism, and that morality of capitalism is under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/i-think-ayn-rand-did-the-best-job-of-anybody-to-build-a-moral-case-of/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [“He spent several days deciding on the artifacts. Much longer than he had spent deciding to kill himself, and approximately the same time required…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/he-spent-several-days-deciding-on-the-artifacts-much-longer-than-he/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [“Libertarianism used to have a robust left wing as well. Both disliked government. Both were driven by a fantastically nostalgic conviction that a country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-andersen/libertarianism-used-to-have-a-robust-left-wing-as-well-both-disliked/) [Kurt Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-andersen/) > [The anti-individualist enemies that Ayn Rand battled are still the enemy, but they've shifted their line of attack. Political collectivists are no longer much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/the-anti-individualist-enemies-that-ayn-rand-battled-are-still-the/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [ I think for a lot of people, it's just where their saturation point was. Once you get into the \[Donald\] Trump stuff and the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cross/i-think-for-a-lot-of-people-it-s-just-where-their-saturation-point/) [David Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cross/) > [Before I met Ayn Rand, I was a logical positivist, and accordingly, I didn't believe in absolutes, moral or otherwise. If I couldn't prove…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/before-i-met-ayn-rand-i-was-a-logical-positivist-and-accordingly-i/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) ## More by Paul Ryan > [When we're done simplifying the tax code, getting the lobbyist carve outs our of the tax code, lowering our rates and letting people have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/when-we-re-done-simplifying-the-tax-code-getting-the-lobbyist-carve/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [Grow jobs. Get this economy growing. Raise wages. Simplify the tax system, so it's easy to comply with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/grow-jobs-get-this-economy-growing-raise-wages-simplify-the-tax/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [The tax code is 10 times the size of the Bible with none of the good news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/the-tax-code-is-10-times-the-size-of-the-bible-with-none-of-the-good/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [We want American families to feel more confident in life. We want the next generation to know that yes, the best days of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/we-want-american-families-to-feel-more-confident-in-life-we-want-the/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [Donald Trump is a pretty casual guy. He calls me Paul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/donald-trump-is-a-pretty-casual-guy-he-calls-me-paul/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [ What \[President Donald Trump\] is doing is taking away the executive overreach that President \[Barack\] Obama did which we thought exceeded his powers. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/what-president-donald-trump-is-doing-is-taking-away-the-executive/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [My dad died when I was young. He was a good and decent man. There are a few things he would say that have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/my-dad-died-when-i-was-young-he-was-a-good-and-decent-man-there-are-a/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [Millions of young Americans have graduated from college during the Obama presidency, ready to use their gifts and get moving in life. Half of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/millions-of-young-americans-have-graduated-from-college-during-the/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [When you take a look at the problems our country is facing, debt is No. 1. The math is downright scary and the credit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/when-you-take-a-look-at-the-problems-our-country-is-facing-debt-is-no/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [What I'm concerned about is endless borrowing, which is going to compromise our economy not only today but in the future. Because we know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/what-i-m-concerned-about-is-endless-borrowing-which-is-going-to/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [We believe, as our founders did, that 'the pursuit of happiness' depends upon individual liberty; and individual liberty requires limited government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/we-believe-as-our-founders-did-that-the-pursuit-of-happiness-depends/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [If you’re going to criticize, you should propose,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/if-you-re-going-to-criticize-you-should-propose/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [I call crony capitalism, where you take money from successful small businesses, spend it in Washington on favored industries, on favored individuals, picking winners…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/i-call-crony-capitalism-where-you-take-money-from-successful-small/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [Conventional wisdom on government's role in inequality often has it backwards. Tax reforms have resulted in a more progressive federal income tax; government transfer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/conventional-wisdom-on-government-s-role-in-inequality-often-has-it/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [Let the Democrates go on making its case for more government control over every aspect of our lives. More taxes to pay. More debt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/let-the-democrates-go-on-making-its-case-for-more-government-control/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) [Explore all 345 Paul Ryan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) ## More Collectivism quotes > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Motherland is our property and we have right to handle our properties as pleased. The jokes about death for the sake of the motherland…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/motherland-is-our-property-and-we-have-right-to-handle-our-properties/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“Socialists and Progressives confuse compassion and compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-e-samaan/socialists-and-progressives-confuse-compassion-and-compulsion/) [A.E. Samaan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-e-samaan/) > [Your best friends are your principles, if you havent them, dont look for another friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/your-best-friends-are-your-principles-if-you-havent-them-dont-look/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [A strong saying is not afraid of criticism, because it includes all the answers to criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-strong-saying-is-not-afraid-of-criticism-because-it-includes-all/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [ \[American\] conformism might approximate collectivism, not so much in economic respects, and not too much in political respects, but very much in the pattern… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/american-conformism-might-approximate-collectivism-not-so-much-in/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [“He needed the people and the clamour around him. There was no questions and no doubts when he stood on a platform over a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/he-needed-the-people-and-the-clamour-around-him-there-was-no/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [It is true that the virtues which are less esteemed and practiced now--independence, self-reliance, and the willingness to bear risks, the readiness to back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-august-von-hayek/it-is-true-that-the-virtues-which-are-less-esteemed-and-practiced-now/) [Friedrich August von Hayek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-august-von-hayek/) > [A noble person stands up as though a theater curtain rises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-noble-person-stands-up-as-though-a-theater-curtain-rises/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [I don't envisage collectivism. There is no such animal, it is always individualism, sometimes the rest vote and sometimes they do not, and if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/i-don-t-envisage-collectivism-there-is-no-such-animal-it-is-always/) [Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/) > [“They say, 'No private property', and immediately after strive to maintain private property in its daily manifestations. 'You shall be a commune as far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pyotr-kropotkin/they-say-no-private-property-and-immediately-after-strive-to-maintain/) [Pyotr Kropotkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pyotr-kropotkin/) > [“the only secure basis for oligarchy is collectivism. Wealth”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/the-only-secure-basis-for-oligarchy-is-collectivism-wealth/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [Subconsciously it is possible to act, consciously it is possible to decide and overconsciously to create.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/subconsciously-it-is-possible-to-act-consciously-it-is-possible-to/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Unfortunately, our leadership decided to abandon the model that had made us rich and embrace the impoverishing ideas of collectivism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-milei/unfortunately-our-leadership-decided-to-abandon-the-model-that-had/) [Javier Milei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-milei/) > [By consequence I hold that no one ever did, or can do, anything for "society."... Comte invented the term altruism as an antonym for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/by-consequence-i-hold-that-no-one-ever-did-or-can-do-anything-for/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) [Browse all 246 Collectivism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collectivism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The reason I got involved in public service, by and large, if I had to credit one thinker, one person, it would be Ayn Rand. 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