The Virtue of Selfishness, by Ayn Rand: on Civil Rights


Racism is morally evil, but shouldn't be legally forbidden

No man, neither Negro nor white, has any claim to the property of another man. A man's rights are not violated by a private individual's refusal to deal with him. Racism is an evil, irrational and morally contemptible doctrine--but doctrines cannot be forbidden or prescribed by law. Just as we have to protect a communist's freedom of speech, even though his doctrines are evil, so we have to protect a racist's right to the use and disposal of his own property. Private racism is not a legal, but a moral issue--and can be fought only by private means, such as economic boycott or social ostracism.
Source: The Virtue of Selfishness, "Racism," p.134, by Ayn Rand Nov 1, 1964

Property rights have priority over civil rights

The 'civil rights' Bill, now under consideration in the 1963 Congress, is another example of a gross infringement of individual rights. It is proper to forbid all discrimination in government-owned facilities and establishments:˙the government has no right to discriminate against any citizens. And by the very same principle, the government has no right to discriminate for some citizens at the expense of others. It has no right to violate the right of private property by forbidding discrimination in privately owned establishments.
Source: The Virtue of Selfishness, by Ayn Rand, p.156 Nov 1, 1964

  • The above quotations are from The Virtue of Selfishness
    by Ayn Rand.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Ayn Rand on Civil Rights.
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Page last updated: Feb 26, 2019