Атлант расправил плечи
By our love
You,theheirofthed’Anconias,whocouldhavesurpassedallhisancestorsofthemiraculoushandthatproduced,you’returningyourmatchlessabilitytothejobofdestruction.AndI—I’mplayingwithcobblestonesandshinglingaroof,whileatranscontinentalrailroadsystemiscollapsinginthehandsofcongenitalwardheelers.YetyouandIwerethekindwhodeterminethefateoftheworld.Ifthisiswhatweletitcometo,thenitmusthavebeenourownguilt.ButIcan’tseethenatureofourerror."
"Yes,Dagny,itwasourownguilt."
"Becausewedidn’tworkhardenough?"
"Becauseweworkedtoohard—andchargedtoolittle."
"Whatdoyoumean?"
"Weneverdemandedtheonepaymentthattheworldowedus—andweletourbestrewardgototheworstofmen.Theerrorwasmadecenturiesago,itwasmadebySebastiand’Anconia,byNatTaggart,byeverymanwhofedtheworldandreceivednothanksinreturn.
Youdon’tknowwhatisrightanylonger?Dagny,thisisnotabattleovermaterialgoods.It’samoralcrisis,thegreatesttheworldhaseverfacedandthelast.Ourageistheclimaxofcenturiesofevil.Wemustputanendtoit,onceandforall,orperish—we,themenofthemind.Itwasourownguilt.Weproducedthewealthoftheworld—butweletourenemieswriteitsmoralcode."
"Butweneveracceptedtheircode.Welivedbyourownstandards.
