Quotes

Atlas Shrugged: Part I

Ellis Wyatt: Who the hell are you?
John Galt: My name is John Galt. I live in a place we call Atlantis, and I think you'd fit in there. It's a place where heroes live; where those who *want* to be heroes live. The government we have there respects each of us as individuals and as producers. Actually, beyond a few courthouses there isn't much government at all. Bottom line, Mr Wyatt; if you're weary of a government that refuses to limit its power over you, if you're ready at this moment to claim the moral right to your own life, then we should leave, and I'll take you there. I'll take you to Atlantis.

Henry Rearden: What is your purpose in talking to me?
Francisco D'Anconia: Let's just say it is to give you the words you will need for the time you will need them.

Henry Rearden: I'm curious... is it alright with you that I'm squeezing every penny of profit I can from your emergency?
Dagny Taggart: I have to get the Rio Norte completely re-railed in nine months or Taggart Transcontinental will crash.
Henry Rearden: They're doing their best to make it harder for you aren't they?
Dagny Taggart: Yes, but it's useless to get angry with people like my brother and his friends in Washington. I don't have time for it. I have to undo what they've done.
Henry Rearden: And after?
Dagny Taggart: After, they won't matter anyway.

James Taggart: Well that was quick!
Dagny Taggart: You'd be surprised how quickly things get done when you do some actual work and don't rely on political favors.

[last lines]
Ellis Wyatt: This is Ellis Wyatt. I'm gone. Don't try to find me. You won't. I am on strike.

U.S. Representative's voice on television: Mister Speaker, we would like to propose a bill to make it illegal to fire employees from profitable companies.

John Galt: Midas Mulligan.
Midas Mulligan: Who's asking?
John Galt: Someone who knows what it's like to work for himself and not let others feed off the profits of his energy.
Midas Mulligan: That's funny. That's exactly what I've been thinking.
John Galt: We're alike, you and I.
Midas Mulligan: Who are you?

Henry Rearden: What are you doing with yourself these days?
Phillip Rearden: I'm working for Friends of Global Awareness.
Henry Rearden: I know them. What do you want?
Phillip Rearden: Money.
Henry Rearden: Doesn't everyone? Call my office first thing in the morning. I'll authorize a hundred grand for you.
Phillip Rearden: You really don't care about helping the underprivileged, do you?
Henry Rearden: No Phillip, I don't, but it'll make you happy.
Phillip Rearden: Oh, it's not for me Hank. It's for the benefit of the less privileged. You think I can have the money wired to my account?
Henry Rearden: A wire? Why?
Phillip Rearden: Well, the thing is, it's a Progressive group. They wouldn't appreciate your name on a check.

Paul Larkin: They say you're intractable, you're ruthless, your only goal is to make money.
Henry Rearden: My only goal is to make money.
Paul Larkin: [whisper] Yes, but you shouldn't say it.

Wesley Mouch: Paul, this is not personal. Everybody has to share the burdens we face, especially Rearden.

James Taggart: We've been serving the Colorado Region since my great-great-grandfather ran this company. What happened to loyalty, Eddie?
Eddie Willers: Perhaps the problem is we haven't updated that branch since your father ran the company.

Henry Rearden: The next time you decide to throw a party, can you stick to your own crowd? Don't bother inviting people you think are my friends.
Lillian Rearden: But Henry, you don't have any friends.

Dagny Taggart: It's a real mystery why the Twentieth Century Motor Company failed.
Henry Rearden: It's no mystery. Bad ideas brought it down.
Dagny Taggart: Ideas?
Henry Rearden: As I understand it, the company flattened the wage scale and still paid everyone according to their needs, not according to their contributions.
Dagny Taggart: Why all these stupid altruistic urges? It's not being charitable or fair. What is it with people today?
Henry Rearden: so, after a short while, no surprise the smartest managers and the better workers left the company. The hundreds of remaining staff couldn't handle it alone.
[bird wings flapping away]
Henry Rearden: Service dropped, quality in their once-great products was gone and that was that. The Twentieth Century Motor Company went under.
Dagny Taggart: That's depressing.

Henry Rearden: What exactly is your motive here?
Francisco D'Anconia: Let us say, to give you the words you need for the time when you'll need them.

Mother Rearden: Another man would have given his wife a diamond bracelet if he wanted to give her a gift - for her pleasure not his.

Henry Rearden: What is wrong with the world?
Paul Larkin: Don't ask useless questions. How deep is the ocean? How high is the sky? Who is John Galt?

Dr. Potter: [Dr. Potter speaking to billionaire Henry Rearden who lives in huge mansions and throwing lavish parties] Why is it so important for you to struggle for year after year, squeezing out meager gains rather than accept a fortune for Rearden Metal?

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