9 Life Lessons From Ayn Rand (Philosophy Of Objectivism)

Summary

This video script explores the life and philosophy of Ayn Rand, emphasizing her Objectivist principles including objective reality, reason, individualism, and laissez-faire capitalism. It delves into her views on reason over faith, the importance of self-interest, and the pursuit of happiness through rational means. The script also outlines nine life lessons inspired by Rand's philosophy, urging viewers to use reason, embrace self-interest, and pursue personal growth for a fulfilling life.

Takeaways

• 📚 Ayn Rand was a Russian-American writer and philosopher who developed the philosophy of Objectivism, emphasizing reason, individualism, and laissez-faire capitalism.
• 🌐 She believed in objective reality, the primacy of reason over faith and emotion, and that the moral purpose of life is the pursuit of one's own happiness.
• 💡 Rand's Objectivism stresses the importance of using reason in all aspects of life, rejecting superstitions and unfounded beliefs for a reality-based approach.
• 🤔 She advocated for rational selfishness, arguing that individuals should act in their own self-interest without sacrificing their values for others.
• 👥 Rand promoted individual values and moral autonomy, suggesting that one's actions should align with personal principles and not be dictated by external pressures.
• 🚫 She was critical of playing the victim and encouraged taking responsibility for one's happiness and well-being.
• 💼 Rand emphasized the importance of self-esteem, linking it to the pursuit of joy and the ability to make rational life decisions.
• 🗣️ Honesty was a cornerstone of her philosophy, with Rand asserting that even 'white lies' can lead to destructive outcomes.
• 🏦 She viewed capitalism as the ideal economic system, advocating for earning money honorably and respecting the fruits of one's labor.
• 💪 Rand's life and philosophy underscore the importance of perseverance, encouraging individuals to never give up on their goals despite life's struggles.
• 🌱 Lastly, she emphasized the necessity of continuous personal growth, suggesting that learning and evolving are essential for a fulfilling life.

Q & A

Who was Ayn Rand and what was her primary contribution to literature and philosophy?

Ayn Rand was a Russian-American writer and philosopher of the twentieth century. She is known for her novels, such as 'The Fountainhead' and 'Atlas Shrugged', and for founding the philosophy of Objectivism.

What are the four main principles of Objectivism as founded by Ayn Rand?

The four main principles of Objectivism are: 1) Objective reality, 2) Absolute reason, 3) Individualism, and 4) Laissez-faire capitalism.

How does Ayn Rand define 'objective reality'?

Objective reality, according to Ayn Rand, is the reality that exists independently of consciousness, like any real thing existing in the world.

What does Ayn Rand believe about the role of reason in acquiring knowledge?

Ayn Rand believed that knowledge can be acquired only through the process of reasoning, and she rejected reliance on religion and faith.

Which philosophers did Ayn Rand admire and which one did she strongly oppose?

Ayn Rand admired philosophers like Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas, and she was inspired by Nietzsche and John Locke. She strongly opposed Immanuel Kant, whom she called 'the most evil man in mankind's history'.

What was the significance of the economist Ludwig von Mises' compliment to Ayn Rand?

Ludwig von Mises referred to Ayn Rand as 'the most courageous man in America', which pleased her because he used 'man' instead of 'woman', implying that she was as courageous, if not more, than any man.

What is one of the key life lessons from Ayn Rand's philosophy regarding the use of reason?

A key life lesson is to use reason in everything, as Ayn Rand believed that reason is a tool of survival and that the guidance of facts far outweighs the guidance of faith or emotion.

How does Ayn Rand view the concept of selfishness in the context of Objectivism?

Ayn Rand viewed selfishness as a natural part of human nature and not contradictory to helping others. She believed that acting in one's own interest and following one's own wishes is essential to one's happiness.

What does Ayn Rand teach about following one's own values?

Ayn Rand taught that individuals should follow their own values and moral code, as long as their actions do not limit the freedom of others or contradict the laws and regulations of the country.

How does Ayn Rand's philosophy address the concept of playing the victim?

Ayn Rand's philosophy advises against playing the victim, emphasizing that one should not seek sympathy or love by denigrating oneself or by emphasizing suffering to gain attention.

What does Ayn Rand believe about the importance of self-esteem and how can one develop it?

Ayn Rand considered self-esteem to be of utmost importance and believed that it can be developed by using reason in life, setting healthy boundaries, and having clear and rational goals for personal growth.

How does Ayn Rand define honesty and why is it important in her philosophy?

Ayn Rand defined honesty as the recognition that one cannot fake existence, which should be expressed in thought and speech. Honesty is important because it prevents selling oneself short and upholds the integrity of the human spirit.

What is Ayn Rand's perspective on earning money and how should one spend it?

Ayn Rand believed that one should earn money in an honorable way, through hard work and commitment. She advised that the way one spends money can be a reflection of how it was earned and that it should be treated with respect.

What advice does Ayn Rand give regarding perseverance in the face of life's struggles?

Ayn Rand advises to never give up on what one wants in life, emphasizing that the struggle is worth it and that we all have an inner hero capable of overcoming difficulties.

How does Ayn Rand encourage individuals to approach personal growth?

Ayn Rand encourages continuous personal growth by learning new things, pursuing education, and reshaping one's worldview through self-development and philosophy to feel that every day brings progress.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Life Lessons from Ayn Rand's Philosophy

This paragraph introduces Ayn Rand as a prominent Russian-American writer and philosopher who established Objectivism, a philosophy emphasizing objective reality, reason, individualism, and laissez-faire capitalism. Rand's life, her transition from Russia to America, and her philosophical principles are outlined. She is noted for her rational approach to life, rejection of religion and faith, and her views on knowledge acquisition through reasoning. Rand's admiration for certain philosophers like Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas, and her opposition to Immanuel Kant are highlighted. The paragraph concludes with an introduction to nine life lessons inspired by Rand's philosophy, starting with the importance of using reason in all aspects of life.

05:03

💡 The Virtue of Selfishness and Rational Living

The second paragraph delves into the concept of rational selfishness as advocated by Ayn Rand. It discusses the natural human tendency towards self-interest and the problems arising from acting against one's own interests. Rand's perspective on sacrifice and suffering is presented, suggesting that actions driven by personal pleasure are not truly sacrifices. The paragraph encourages individuals to pursue their own values and interests, even if they conflict with the expectations of others, such as family or societal norms. It also touches on the importance of adhering to one's own moral code, even in situations where there is no legal or moral obligation to act.

10:08

🚫 Avoiding the Victim Mentality

This paragraph focuses on the dangers of adopting a victim mentality and the importance of taking responsibility for one's own happiness. Rand argues against seeking sympathy or love by demeaning oneself. It emphasizes the significance of a positive attitude and the impact of expectations on how others respond to us. The paragraph provides examples of how playing the victim can lead to isolation and resentment, and contrasts this with the benefits of taking initiative and changing one's circumstances. It concludes with advice to not allow others to define one's self-worth or happiness.

15:08

💼 The Importance of Self-Esteem and Honesty

The fourth paragraph discusses the critical role of self-esteem in achieving happiness and the correlation between self-esteem and the pursuit of joy. It outlines Rand's view on the importance of reason in developing self-esteem and setting personal values and goals. The paragraph also addresses the stress and unhappiness that can result from not having clear goals or from failing to pursue them due to low self-worth. Honesty is presented as a key virtue in Objectivism, with Rand's assertion that there are no 'white lies,' only destructive lies. The importance of being truthful in both speech and thought to maintain integrity and self-respect is highlighted.

20:10

💰 Honorable Wealth and the Ethics of Money

This paragraph explores Ayn Rand's views on capitalism and the importance of earning money honorably. Rand differentiates between consumers and producers, emphasizing the value of creators who drive civilization's progress. The paragraph suggests that the way individuals spend their money reflects the honor with which it was earned. It advises against get-rich-quick schemes and promotes the idea of earning and respecting money through hard work, commitment, and responsible spending. The paragraph concludes with the message that living an honorable life, which includes earning money honorably, leads to pride and self-respect.

25:11

🏆 Perseverance and Continuous Growth

The final paragraph emphasizes the importance of perseverance and continuous growth as key aspects of a fulfilling life, as inspired by Ayn Rand's experiences and philosophy. It recounts Rand's personal struggles and her belief in the inner hero within everyone capable of overcoming difficulties. The paragraph encourages viewers to face challenges with courage and to view hardships as opportunities for growth. It concludes with advice to never give up on one's desires and to embrace lifelong learning and self-improvement as a means to maintain a fresh and healthy mind and spirit.

📺 Conclusion and Invitation to Further Learning

The concluding paragraph serves as a call to action for viewers to explore more about philosophical wisdom for success and happiness. It invites viewers to subscribe for more videos and to check out a full playlist of philosophies for life. The paragraph acts as a reminder of the value of ancient philosophical wisdom in guiding modern life and encourages ongoing learning and personal development.

Keywords

💡Ayn Rand

Ayn Rand was a Russian-American writer and philosopher known for her novels and the philosophy of Objectivism. In the video, she is the central figure whose life and ideas are explored, with her works 'The Fountainhead' and 'Atlas Shrugged' mentioned as particularly influential.

💡Objectivism

Objectivism is the philosophy founded by Ayn Rand, emphasizing rationality and individualism. The script outlines its four main principles, including objective reality and laissez-faire capitalism, which are integral to understanding Rand's worldview and the video's theme.

💡Reason

Reason is a fundamental concept in Objectivism, defined as the process of acquiring knowledge and making decisions based on facts and logic. The video emphasizes the importance of reason over faith or emotion, as illustrated by Rand's rejection of religion and her advocacy for rational selfishness.

💡Individualism

Individualism is a key principle in the philosophy of Objectivism, advocating for the moral importance of the individual's pursuit of their own happiness. The script discusses how Rand believed in the primacy of the individual's values and interests, as opposed to collective or societal demands.

💡Laissez-faire Capitalism

Laissez-faire capitalism is an economic system that advocates for minimal government intervention and the protection of individual rights and property. The video mentions this as one of the main principles of Objectivism, highlighting Rand's belief in the importance of economic freedom.

💡Selfishness

In the context of the video, selfishness is redefined from a negative connotation to a positive one, where it is seen as a natural and necessary aspect of human nature. Rand's philosophy promotes rational selfishness, suggesting that individuals should act in their own best interests, as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others.

💡Self-esteem

Self-esteem, according to Rand, is crucial for personal happiness and is built through the use of reason and adherence to one's values. The video discusses how self-esteem is linked to the pursuit of joy and the recognition of one's worth, with Rand considering it one of the most important aspects of life.

💡Honesty

Honesty is presented as a core virtue in Objectivism, where it is seen as the recognition of reality and the refusal to deceive. The script explains that lying, even in the form of 'white lies,' is damaging and that honesty is essential for maintaining integrity and strong relationships.

💡Victim Mentality

The concept of 'playing the victim' is discouraged in the video, as it is seen as a hindrance to personal growth and happiness. Rand's philosophy encourages individuals to take responsibility for their own well-being and not to seek sympathy or attention from others.

💡Growth

Growth is emphasized as a continuous process of learning and self-improvement in the video. Rand believed in the importance of owning one's life and investing in personal development, which is presented as a means to achieve a fulfilling and productive life.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the ability to overcome adversity and is a theme in the video that is inspired by Rand's own life experiences. The script encourages viewers to trust in their inner strength to face and conquer life's challenges, drawing parallels to Rand's perseverance through the Russian Revolution.

Highlights

Ayn Rand was a Russian-American writer and philosopher known for her novels 'The Fountainhead' and 'Atlas Shrugged'.

Rand founded the philosophy of Objectivism with four main principles: Objective reality, Absolute reason, Individualism, and Laissez-faire capitalism.

She believed knowledge is acquired through reasoning and rejected religion and faith.

Rand was inspired by Nietzsche and John Locke but opposed Immanuel Kant's ethics.

She was politically active and connected with influential figures like economist Ludwig von Mises.

Rand's Objectivism movement aimed to teach the pursuit of happiness through reason and courage.

Reason is essential for survival and understanding objective reality, according to Rand.

She advised against following superstitions and instead using rational thought for decision-making.

Individualism, as per Rand, means the pursuit of one's own happiness as the proper moral purpose of life.

Rand encouraged not sacrificing oneself for others if it's against personal interests or pleasure.

She promoted rational selfishness and following one's own values without infringing on others' freedom.

Rand believed in not playing the victim and seeking happiness independently.

Self-esteem is crucial and linked to the level of joy one seeks, according to Rand.

Honesty is a key virtue in Objectivism; Rand warned against even 'white lies'.

Capitalism is seen as the only system compatible with Objectivism, respecting individuals as ends in themselves.

Rand emphasized earning money honorably and spending it responsibly.

She encouraged perseverance and not giving up on life's struggles.

Continuous personal and professional growth is essential, as per Rand's philosophy.

Transcripts

Ayn Rand was a Russian-American writer and  philosopher who lived in the twentieth century.  

Born in Russia, she moved to  America when she was in her 20’s;  

there she wrote several novels, some of the most  famous being: The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged.  

Towards the end of her life,  she focused more on philosophy,  

founding the philosophy of Objectivism,  the four main principles of which are:

01. Objective reality, which is the reality  that exists independently of consciousness, 

02. Absolute reason, which means that the  

guidance of facts far outweighs  the guidance of faith or emotion, 

03. Individualism, which means the  proper moral purpose of one's life  

is the pursuit of one's own happiness, and 04. Laissez-faire capitalism,  

which is a system based on protecting  human rights and property rights.

Her main philosophical view is that knowledge can  be acquired only through the process of reasoning  

and she rejected religion and faith. She attacked  many past philosophers, with the exception of  

a few, like Aristotle and Thomas Acquinas.  She was inspired by Nietzsche and John Locke  

and she was against Immanuel Kant, whom she  named “the most evil man in mankind's history”  

because she thought his ethics opposed  the self-interests of human beings.

During her life, she was involved in many  political movements and made connections  

with journalists, economists, including the  economist Ludwig von Mises, who referred to her as  

"the most courageous man in America", a  compliment that pleased her because he said  

"man" instead of "woman", implying that she was  more courageous, had more guts than any man.  

Through the Objectivism movement, her work became  known more and more to the public and to help you  

understand more about how you can pursue  happiness through reason and courage,  

how we can pursue truth and have  fulfilling and productive lives,  

here are 9 life lessons we can learn  from the philosophy of Ayn Rand:

01. Use reason in everything

Ayn Rand says: “There are no evil thoughts  except one; the refusal to think”.

One of the main pillars of Objectivism is  absolute reason, meaning that the guidance  

of facts far outweighs the guidance of faith  or emotion. For Rand, the objective reality  

exists. Objective reality is a reality that  exists independently of our minds like any  

real thing existing in this world, the sun, the  tree, a chair and we can understand it through our  

capacity of reason over the facts we perceive.  Reason is seen by Rand as a tool of survival:  

without it, we cannot make sense of the  external reality, our physical environment.

Just wishing for something to happen is not  enough, it does not bend according to our  

wishes. Rather, we need to first perceive it,  analyze it, and then decide how to act upon it.  

However, there are still billions of people around  the world who think that by practising special  

prayers, special incantations, rituals, they can  bend reality according to their wishes. If you  

are the type of person who changes the side of the  street just because you have seen a black cat in  

front of you or if you avoid taking the airplane  on Friday the 13th, then you might be one of them.

Ayn Rand, through her philosophy of  Objectivism, would advise you to stop  

following such superstitions, but rather use  your rational mind in deciding your actions,  

and when you do, you will realise that there is no  proof that a black cat or that day that was 13th,  

then the Friday brings bad luck. Following reason,  rather than religion, superstitions and other  

unfounded beliefs, would make your life simpler,  more rooted in reality and more successful.

02. Be selfish

According to Rand: “Man—every man—is an end in  himself, not a means to the ends of others.”

For Ayn Rand, there is no contradiction  between following your interests  

and helping others. She even thought that when  we are in love with someone, that love is selfish  

and what we do out of love is based on our own  selfishness. When you sacrifice something for  

someone or when you compromise something for the  sake of a relationship, or when you went through  

a sort of suffering in order to gain something  at the end, that is not sacrifice or suffering  

as long as you take pleasure from doing  that or from achieving the end goal. Thus,  

in some way, we are selfish by our own nature,  selfishness comes naturally, it is in our veins.

The problem is that we often act  against our own interests and wishes.  

Someone close to you might coerce  you into something it is bad for you:  

for example, your parent who pushes you to follow  a career you don’t want, your spouse that forbids  

you to meet certain friends because of jealousy,  the boss who blackmails you into attending team  

building meetings that you cannot afford to  attend and so on. You might not experience any  

pleasure in this as you have been persuaded  to act like that, against your own wishes.

Ayn Rand would advise you in this case  to stop sacrificing yourself for others  

if those activities are of no benefit for you,  if you don’t feel any pleasure in doing them.  

If you wish to follow a career of art,  do not listen to your parents who try  

to push you towards being a lawyer, if you enjoy  spending time with your friends of opposite sex,  

do not follow the wishes of your spouse, if  you can’t afford those team buildings meetings,  

don’t go and and maybe leave that company.  

Act in your own interest and follow your  wishes and what brings you pleasure in life.

03. Follow your own values

Rand teaches us that: “Value  presupposes a standard,  

a purpose and the necessity of  action in the face of an alternative”

Ayn Rand aimed to revolutionise the entire  foundation of the Judeo-Christian morality  

as she was against the policy of altruism, meaning  acting in a way to promote someone else’s welfare,  

even if it's at a risk or of cost to ourselves.  Her entire philosophy was all for the so-called  

rational selfishness. Being a rational selfish  implies that your main duty should be towards  

yourself, towards your own values and  not to an external set of moral rules.  

However, in Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism there  is also room for the so-called inherent morality,  

meaning the morality which is derived from  the laws of the country or the community,  

like allowing governmental interventions through  a set of regulations to properly rule the society.

The individuals act as moral units but they  are bound to the governmental set of laws  

and regulations as well. In other words,  the duty of a man is to do what he wishes  

as long as his wish does not depend  primarily on other men. Therefore,  

we should follow our own values and wishes as  long as what we do does not limit the freedom  

of others and is not in contradiction  with the country’s laws and regulations.

If you see a child falling down a well,  you have no moral obligation to save them.  

But if your inner moral code tells you that this  is the right way to do it, then you must follow  

your inner moral code. If you believe that it is  not your business to save the child, then you are  

not morally obliged in any way to save them,  you should not be condemned if you do nothing.

In the same way, if, for example, you  have a principle that you should take  

responsibility for your own mistakes at all  times and you made a mistake in your work,  

but your boss asked another person to correct  your mistake because he knows you have too many  

things on your plate, you should try to tell  your boss that you want to do this, even if it  

involves spending long hours or staying overnight  in your office. Whatever your moral values are,  

follow them in anything you do, even when it  is not always in your immediate self interest.

04. Don’t play the victim

In the words of Rand: “Evil requires  the sanction of the victim.”

Usually, the tendency to play victim comes  from the need to show how much we suffer  

in order to draw attention, love and sympathy.  But for Rand, one must achieve one’s happiness  

by ourselves - you cannot demand others  to give up their lives to make you happy,  

nor should one wish to sacrifice one’s self  for the happiness of others. In Rand’s view,  

it makes no sense to play victim, and beg for  love or attention - to denigrate yourself in order  

to gain sympathy or love from others. In this  regard, having a positive attitude is important.

When we play victim, we emphasize the negative  parts, on how bad others treat us or ignore us  

and we do not do enough to change the situation.  What we expect from others influences how others  

respond to us. So, when we play the victim, we  give the other person the permission to continue  

their bad behavior over us. For example, if you  believe that your colleagues at work don’t treat  

you fairly, that they don’t invite you to lunch or  to parties after work, you might feel yourself a  

victim, ignored, not appreciated. If you choose to  play the victim, you will become more quiet, more  

isolated, full of resentment towards others, not  willing to engage anymore in their conversations.

By contrast, if you stop playing the victim, you  will go straight to them, ask them what their  

plans are for today and if you can join them.  If they say yes, very well and if they say no,  

you just have to smile and find better colleagues,  maybe from other departments with whom you can  

spend the breaks or create better bonds. Do  not stay stuck in a role given by others,  

do not offer the permission to anyone to  make you feel isolated or feel like a victim.

05. Develop your self-esteem

Rand considers that: “Nothing is more  important in the world than self-esteem.”

According to Rand, the level of self esteem can  be correlated to the amount of joy one seeks to  

experience because this search for joy reveals  how much that person feels worthy of being happy,  

alive, and free. For Rand, the more we use  reason in life, the more self esteem we can have.  

When we have a system of values and principles  according to which we can make rational decisions  

and we do not go with the  flow wherever the wind blows,  

we can finally learn to appreciate ourselves  more, to set healthy boundaries, proper goals for  

ourselves and for our growth, and finally then,  we can develop a higher sense of self-esteem.

We often become overwhelmed, stressed out by small  things, be it at work or in our personal lives.  

The reason for being stressed and unhappy  is usually the fact that we don’t have  

clear and rational goals or we don’t follow them  because we don’t see ourselves as worthy of them.  

When you do not have the courage to fight for  what you want to achieve in life, you will lose  

your self-esteem and you will get trapped  in fake relationships, careers, and dreams.

For example, imagine that you always wanted  to be a manager in a large corporation,  

but you do not feel worthy of such a job,  you have very little self esteem. In order  

to increase your self-esteem, you should first  try building your confidence on rational grounds,  

by analyzing your skills first, what you really  are able to do. Then, there are few other things  

you can do, like exercising more control over your  negative thoughts by taking more care of yourself,  

by surrounding yourself with positive people,  and accepting yourself for who you are.

Then, when you are confident enough, you will  have the guts to say what you are capable of  

and you will better convince your  boss that you deserve a promotion.  

Once you have the right mindset, and  a rational plan, based on reason,  

you will see how your self esteem increases and  you will go more confident towards your goal.

06. Be honest

To quote Rand: “There are no white lies,  there is only the blackest of destruction,  

and a white lie is the blackest of all..”

Honesty is one of the highest virtues in the  philosophy of objectivism which we should try  

to incorporate in life. Rand defined honesty  as the recognition of the fact that you cannot  

fake existence. And this recognition  can be expressed in thought and speech.  

We should not lie to others by speaking  or hiding important information. Also,  

we should not lie to ourselves. To lie, in  any form, means to sell ourselves short.

To avoid lying shouldn’t be because you  are afraid of punishment in the afterlife.  

Rand did not believe in an  afterlife and, through soul,  

she understood the human spirit capable  of enjoying life here, on planet Earth.  

This human spirit must be protected as it is  so easy to lose ourselves, to sell ourselves  

through lying, to sell our long-term  happiness, for small temporary gains.  

We need to live our lives by following certain  moral principles, like being honest, not stealing,  

not engaging in activities that can harm other  people and so on. We might agree that this  

is a good thing, but in practice, the situation is  much more complex as emotions play a major role in  

our lives. Hence we should first be careful  how we listen and follow our own emotions.

As Rand said, our emotions are programmed  by the way we reason, and sometimes,  

the way we reason is faulty. Therefore, we  need to analyse often the way we reason,  

the way we think. According to Rand, through  reasoning, we need to reach the conclusion that  

to be honest is one of the highest virtues no  matter the situation. Even telling white lies  

is extremely damaging. In fact, as Rand said,  the white lies are indeed the blackest of all.

A white lie is a lie about a small or unimportant  matter that someone tells to avoid hurting another  

person. For example, when a friend invites  you to a party and, instead of saying you are  

not in the mood for a party, you say that you  have some kind of physical pain or feel ill.  

You might think that such a lie cannot make a big  difference, but then, the next time you meet that  

friend, something will change, you will feel a  bit guilty deep inside yourself, you will need to  

reply to further questions regarding the imaginary  disease, you become a slave of your own lie.

It would have been much better if you were honest,  saying that you really do not feel in the right  

mood, that you would be a bad company and that  you would prefer to spend your evening alone,  

reading a book. Thus, your friend would understand  you more and next time you meet him, instead of  

asking you about your imaginary disease, he will  engage in a conversation about your favorite book  

and your friendship will become stronger.  Be honest and your life will become simpler,  

more authentic and the relationships  with other people will improve.

07. Earn your money honourably

Rand posits: “The man who damns money  

has obtained it dishonorably; the  man who respects it has earned it.”

Ayn Rand viewed capitalism as the only  political-economic system compatible with  

her philosophy because it is the only system based  on respect for human beings as ends in themselves,  

not as means. She advocated for a minimal state,  

but a state powerful enough to protect individual  rights, including the rights of property.

However, no matter the political system, Rand  identified 2 types of people in this world:  

consumers and producers in her book “Atlas  Shrugged”. Most of the people belong to the first  

type, they enjoy the fruits of the civilization  built by the second type, the producers. Examples  

of producers are the inventors, the engineers,  the entrepreneurs, anybody who creates something  

that all the world can benefit from. Without  them, the progress of our civilization would  

have been much slower if at all.They are like  Atlas, carrying the world upon their shoulders.

No matter if you are a producer or consumer, Rand  believed that the most important thing is that  

everyone should earn their money in an honorable  way as we all need to give our moral respect  

to a society which was built across so many  generations, through the producers’ efforts.  

According to Rand, the best test to see if  someone has earned their money in an honorable way  

is to watch the way they spend their money.  Somebody who put value, work, and effort into  

acquiring money would treat money with respect,  they would not spend it in a careless way.

When we see a young man in his brand new car,  spending his money on luxury brands for his  

clothes and his phones, we often automatically  think his parents must have a lot of money  

or that he gained that money by some strange  luck or maybe he got rich overnight due to  

good stock market choices or may be doing  some illegal business with his friends.  

On the contrary, when we see somebody who is  apparently wealthy, yet they are still careful  

with the way they spend their money, we tend  to assume that that person gained their wealth  

through hard work and commitment. Ayn Rand advises  us to try to earn our money in an honorable way,  

to work for companies and projects that we can be  proud of, to pay our taxes, and be good citizens.  

There are success stories of  people who became rich overnight,  

but these are rare and many of these people  lose their money as fast as they earned it.  

It is better to build your sources of income  instead of following get-rich-quick schemes.  

Earn your money honorably and you will  live an honorable life you can be proud of.

08. Never give up

Rand advises us: “Don't ever give up what  you want in life. The struggle is worth it.”

Growing up in Russia, Rand lived through  the Russian Revolution and her family  

faced the tragic consequences of it. She was born  into a bourgeois Jewish family in St. Petersburg  

and, because of the revolution,  which happened when she was only 12,  

her father's business was confiscated, and  the family fled to the Crimean Peninsula.

The troubles didn’t end there, she faced  difficulties later when she was in the  

process of graduating from university because  she was from a bourgeois family; however, she  

did eventually graduate, after which she emigrated  to the United States. These troublesome events of  

her early life made her tougher, more courageous  to confront difficulties as she understood that we  

all have a hero inside us who is able to overcome  any difficulty, we just have to trust that we  

can reach the world we desire through our own  efforts, as she did when she landed in the USA.

Like Ayn Rand, we should also trust our inner  hero and trust that we will be able to overcome  

the difficulties in our life. If you are  confronted with a terrible situation in  

your life - for example, you lose your job and you  cannot pay your rent anymore. You are afraid you  

will be evacuated any time and will be forced  to ask friends to accommodate you for a while.  

Do not let yourself be overwhelmed by these  thoughts, constantly worrying that you will  

end up sleeping on the streets. Do not give up  on the fight, apply to as many jobs as possible  

and limit the time you have to focus on negative  thoughts. Instead of consuming your energy  

on depressing thoughts and panicking, think of  this moment as a test that you need to pass, see  

yourself as a hero facing monsters. By changing  the way you see yourself and the situation,  

you will become more energetic and, crucially,  more effective in overcoming your challenges.

09. Always Keep growing

In our final quote from Ayn Rand for this video,  

she says: “What greater wealth is there than  to own your life and to spend it on growing?”

According to Rand, everyone needs a philosophy  

and is guided by at least an implicit one  about which they might not even be aware of.  

In order to avoid suffering in this constantly  changing world, we need to constantly evolve,  

learn more about the right principles to conduct  our lives, and upgrade our guidance system.

If your job involves a lot of routine and  repetition and you feel you are not advancing in  

life, you might try a different approach towards  life. Start something new, that can refresh your  

spirit, learn new things. You can always enroll  in an online university and pick a course that  

interests you. You can also read self-development  books, autobiographies of successful people,  

watch televised or online debates on important  issues, or learn new skills that can help you  

succeed in life.You can also pick topics of self  development or even philosophy to reshape the way  

you see the world and yourself. These are only a  few ideas which can help you grow both in personal  

and in professional life. We need to continue  to grow in order to keep our mind and spirit  

fresh and healthy, and to feel that every  day we are growing into better human beings.

If you enjoyed this video, please make sure to  check out our full philosophies for life playlist  

and for more videos to help you find success and  happiness using ancient philosophical wisdom,  

don’t forget to subscribe.  Thanks so much for watching.