Quotes about Autonomy

What is my life, if I am but to bow, to agree, and to obey?

She caught herself thinking: She's functioning well in an emergency, I'll be all right with her—and realized that she was thinking of herself.

Why, child, such things are to be decided only by you and my son.

I came here to say that I do not recognize anyone's right to one minute of my life. Nor to any part of my energy. Nor to any achievement of mine. No matter who makes the claim, how large their number or how great their need. "I wished to come here and say that I am a man who does not exist for others.

Redeem your mind from the hockshops of authority.

Thinking is something one doesn't borrow or pawn.

Mr. Roark, we're alone here. Why don't you tell me what you think of me? In any words you wish. No one will hear us." "But I don't think of you." Toohey

It hit me pretty hard, how there's no kind of sad in this world that will stop it turning. People will keep on wanting what they want, and you're on your own.

A kid is a terrible thing to be, in charge of nothing. If you get past that and grown, it's easiest to forget about the misery and pretend you knew all along what you were doing.

I'll lead you to the river of knowledge. You can catch your own damn fish.

We're responsible for our own lives.

Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us.