Tuesday, March 17, 2009

So you think that money is the root of all evil?

"Francisco's Money Speech"
by Ayn Rand

The following is an excerpt from Atlas Shrugged, © Copyright, 1957, by Ayn Rand.

"But you say that money is made by the strong at the expense of the weak? What strength do you mean? It is not the strength of guns or muscles. Wealth is the product of man's capacity to think. Then is money made by the man who invents a motor at the expense of those who did not invent it? Is money made by the intelligent at the expense of the fools? By the able at the expense of the incompetent? By the ambitious at the expense of the lazy? Money is made--before it can be looted or mooched--made by the effort of every honest man, each to the extent of his ability. An honest man is one who knows that he can't consume more than he has produced.' ...Read in entirety

This is perhaps that greatest written speech ever put forth supporting the free market and capitalism. I will never forget reading this laying in bed and not being able to put it down. After reading this I proceeded to lay their contemplating that speech for the next two hours trying to go to sleep but was not able to. Everything I had always thought and felt seeing my father and mother working so hard to have their own successful businesses was achieved by reading this speech from Atlas Shrugged.

I highly suggest everyone one read Atlas Shrugged no matter what your belief is, Ayn Rand was was an incredible writer and philosopher. Reading Atlas Shrugged was one of my 2009 goals for the year since it is so long, but I have not been able to put it down since I started reading it.

1 comment:

  1. nah, i don't think it's the root of all evil. money can do great things for people if applied correctly and all :) although, maybe i SHOULD read that book and see what's up? would it fit in my back pocket? Usually if it's too big my A.D.D. will take over and not allow me to finish...

    ReplyDelete