The Quotation IndexThe trusted reference for quotations and the sources behind them
Tag Tag Individualism
Do not make the mistake of the ignorant who think that an individualist is a man who says: I’ll do as I please at everybody else’s expense. An individualist is a man who recognizes the inalienable individual rights of man—his own and those of others.
Ayn Rand The Ayn Rand Lexicon: Objectivism from A to Z · 1986

Quotes

“Build, therefore, your own world. As fast as you conform your life to the pure idea in your mind, that will unfold its law, and conduct you to a higher degree of power. You must obey your heart.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · Nature, 1836 · Primary source

“Intellectual individualism and scientific eras emerged simultaneously in history and have remained inseparable ever since.”

Albert Einstein · Ideas and Opinions , 1954 · Primary source

“SCRAMBLED EGGS ‘JAMES BOND’
For FOUR individualists:

12 fresh eggs
Salt and pepper
5-6 oz. of fresh butter

Break the eggs into a bowl. Beat thoroughly with a fork and season well. In a small copper (or heavy-bottomed saucepan) melt four oz. of the butter. When melted, pour in the eggs and cook over a very low heat, whisking continuously with a small egg whisk.

While the eggs are slightly more moist than you would wish for eating, remove pan from heat, add rest of butter and continue whisking for half a minute, adding the while finely chopped chives or fine herbs. Serve on hot buttered toast in individual copper dishes (for appearance only) with pink champagne (Taittinger) and low music.”

Ian Fleming · Octopussy and The Living Daylights, 1966 · Primary source

Authors

American writer and philosopher · 1905-1982
Ayn Rand

Novelist and philosopher who developed Objectivism and wrote influential works including Atlas Shrugged.

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Works

Ralph Waldo Emerson · 1836
Nature

An exploration of humanity’s relationship with nature, arguing that direct experience of the natural world can reveal spiritual and intellectual truths.

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Ralph Waldo Emerson · 1841
Self-Reliance

An argument for trusting individual judgement, resisting conformity, and living according to one’s own convictions rather than external approval.

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Ralph Waldo Emerson · 1844
New England Reformers

An examination of New England reform movements, considering their ambitions, limitations, social experiments, and Emerson’s emphasis on individual moral development.

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Ayn Rand · 1943
The Fountainhead

An architect resists professional and social pressures while pursuing an uncompromising vision of individual creativity, independence, and artistic integrity.

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Ayn Rand · 1957
Atlas Shrugged

Industrialists and innovators withdraw from a deteriorating society as the novel examines individualism, economic freedom, government power, and moral responsibility.

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Related Tags

Intellectual freedom 5 Scientific progress 1 Authority 4 Independent thought 8 Individual rights 3 Liberty 8 Non-aggression 2 Mutual rights 1 Food 1 Ritual 1 Taste 1 Luxury 2 Self-trust 7 Inner conviction 3 Transcendentalism 32 Personal agency 5 Architecture 1 Creative independence 2 Conformity 3 Objectivism 4 Capitalism 2 Government intervention 2 John Galt 1 Nature 20 Spirituality 2 Intuition 7 Nonconformity 14 Independence 29 Social reform 4 Moral development 2 New England 1 The Fountainhead 1 Atlas Shrugged 1 Laissez-faire capitalism 1