Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           Whenhewasleftalone,Reardenfeltajoltofblindinganger,asithadcometohimbefore,painful,singleandsuddenlikeanelectricshock—theangerburstingoutoftheknowledgethatonecannotdealwithpureevil,withthenaked,full-consciousevilthatneitherhasnorseeksjustification.Butwhenhefeltthewishtofightandkillintherightfulcauseofself-defense—hesawthefat,grinningfaceofMayorBascomandheardthedrawlingvoicesaying,"...youandthecharmingladywhoisnotyourwife."

           Thennorightfulcausewasleft,andthepainofangerwasturningintotheshamefulpainofsubmission.Hehadnorighttocondemnanyone—hethought—todenounceanything,tofightanddiejoyously,claimingthesanctionofvirtue.Thebrokenpromises,theunconfesseddesires,thebetrayal,thedeceit,thelies,thefraud—hewasguiltyofthemall.Whatformofcorruptioncouldhescorn?Degreesdonotmatter,hethought;onedoesnotbargainaboutinchesofevil.

           Hedidnotknow—ashesatslumpedathisdesk,thinkingofthehonestyhecouldclaimnolonger,ofthesenseofjusticehehadlost—thatitwashisrigidhonestyandruthlesssenseofjusticethatwerenowknockinghisonlyweaponoutofhishands.Hewouldfightthelooters,butthewrathandfireweregone.Hewouldfight,butonlyasoneguiltywretchagainsttheothers.