Quote: from “Atlas Shrugged” – Ayn Rand (#2)

By jdgoodwyne on Jun 17, 2010 in Blog

Background: The recipient of an enormous inherited fortune, Francisco d’Anconia has recently purchased a number of copper mines in Mexico. Managers and workers have been hired to pull profit from the earth. The only problem is that it is in Mexico- the government of which has been seizing property with impunity, “nationalizing” everything in the name of the “will of the people.” The most prominent railroad company in the US has built a lengthy line down to these mines in the hopes of benefiting on the need for transportation of raw material. The company is run by a stooge, Jim Taggart, a man completely void of reason. Against his sister Dagny’s warnings, he moved forward with the costly deal. Ultimately, of course, Mexico seized the mines, only to discover that they were empty, no copper to be found. Jim is furious with d’Anconia, who seems quite pleased with himself. Jim confronts d’Anconia at a social event:

“I’m entitled to an explanation! You owe your stockholders an account of the whole disgraceful affair! Why did you pick a worthless mine? Why did you waste all those millions? What sort of rotten swindle was it?”

Francisco stood looking at him in polite astonishment. “Why, James,” he said, “I thought you would approve of it.”

“Approve?!”

“I thought you would consider the San Sebastián Mines as the practical realization of an ideal of the highest moral order. Remembering that you and I have disagreed so often in the past, I thought you would be gratified to see me acting in accordance with your principles.”

“What are you talking about?”

Fransisco shook his head regretfully. “I don’t know why you should call my behavior rotten. I thought you would recognize it as an honest effort to practice what the whole world is preaching. Doesn’t everyone believe that it is evil to be selfish? I was totally selfless in regard to the San Sebastián project. Isn’t it evil to pursue a personal interest? I had no personal interest in it whatever. Isn’t it evil to work for profit? I did not work for profit–I took a loss. Doesn’t everyone agree that the purpose and justification of an industrial enterprise are not production, but the livelihood of its employees? The San Sebastián Mines were the most eminently successful venture in industrial history: they produced no copper, but they provided a livelihood for thousands of men who could not have achieved in a lifetime, the equivalent of what they got for one day’s work, which they could not do. Isn’t it generally agreed that an owner is a parasite and an exploiter, that it is the employees who do all the work and make the product possible? I did not exploit anyone. I did not burden the San Sebastián Mines with my useless presence; I left them in the hands of the men who count. I did not pass judgment on the value of that property. I turned it over to a mining specialist. He was not a very good specialist, but he needed the job very badly. Isn’t it generally conceded that when you hire a man for a job, it is his need that counts, not his ability? Doesn’t everyone believe that in order to get the goods, all you have to do is need them? I have carried out every moral precept of our age. I expected gratitude and a citation of honor. I do not understand why I am being damned.”

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