Атлант расправил плечи

           Now,lookingfromthememoryofthegirlontheflatcartotheGiftCertificatelyingonhisdesk,hefeltasifthetwometinasingleshock,fusingallthedaysanddoubtshehadlivedbetweenthem,and,bytheglareoftheexplosion,inamoment’svisionofafinalsum,hesawtheanswertoallhisquestions.

           Hethought:Guilty?—guiltierthanIhadknown,farguiltierthanIhadthought,thatday—guiltyoftheevilofdamningasguiltthatwhichwasmybest.Idamnedthefactthatmymindandbodywereaunit,andthatmybodyrespondedtothevaluesofmymind.Idamnedthefactthatjoyisthecoreofexistence,themotivepowerofeverylivingbeing,thatitistheneedofone’sbodyasitisthegoalofone’sspirit,thatmybodywasnotaweightofinanimatemuscles,butaninstrumentabletogivemeanexperienceofsuperlativejoytounitemyfleshandmyspirit.Thatcapacity,whichIdamnedasshameful,hadleftmeindifferenttosluts,butgavememyonedesireinanswertoawoman’sgreatness.Thatdesire,whichIdamnedasobscene,didnotcomefromthesightofherbody,butfromtheknowledgethatthelovelyformIsaw,didexpressthespiritIwasseeing—itwasnotherbodythatIwanted,butherperson—itwasnotthegirlingraythatIhadtopossess,butthewomanwhoranarailroad.