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Ayn Rand 322
Russian-American novelist and philosopher 1905–1982Related quotes

Aber es steht doch in der Regel so, daß die Seele schuldig werden muß, um das schlecht Bestehende zu vernichten, um nicht durch idyllischen Rückzug, scheingute Duldung des Unrechts noch schuldiger zu werden.
Source: Man on His Own: Essays in the Philosophy of Religion (1959), p. 36

“there is no collective guilt,… guilt is individual, like salvation." [p.28]”
Source: The Odessa File

As translated in The Portable Nietzsche (1954) by Walter Kaufmann, p. 96

“Intent is guilt. Failure to successfully carry out the intent does not absolve the guilt.”
Source: Temple of the Winds

“My guilt is that I am still here…I should have died. That is my guilt.”
Quoted in "Into that Darkness: From Mercy Killing to Mass Murder" - Page 364 - by Gitta Sereny - History

1770s, Boston Massacre trial (1770)
Context: It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent in this world that they cannot all be punished.
But if innocence itself is brought to the bar and condemned, perhaps to die, then the citizen will say, "whether I do good or whether I do evil is immaterial, for innocence itself is no protection," and if such an idea as that were to take hold in the mind of the citizen that would be the end of security whatsoever.

Variant: Women are their own worst enemies. And guilt is the main weapon of self-torture... Show me a woman who doesn't feel guilty and I'll show you a man.
Source: Fear of Flying