Атлант расправил плечи
The Man who belonged on Earth
Iusedtowatchsteelbeingpoured,tonsofliquidsteelrunningasIwanteditto,whereIwantedit.AndthenI’dgotoabanquetandI’dseepeoplewhosattremblinginawebeforetheirowngolddishesandlacetablecloths,asiftheirdiningroomwerethemasterandtheywerejustobjectsservingit,objectscreatedbytheirdiamondshirtstudsandnecklaces,nottheotherwayaround.ThenI’druntothesightofthefirstslagheapIcouldfind—andthey’dsaythatIdidn’tknowhowtoenjoylife,becauseIcaredfornothingbutbusiness."
Helookedatthedim,sculpturedbeautyoftheroomandatthepeoplewhosatatthetables.Theysatinamannerofself-consciousdisplay,asiftheenormouscostoftheirclothesandtheenormouscareoftheirgroomingshouldhavefusedintosplendor,butdidn’t.Theirfaceshadalookofrancorousanxiety.
"Dagny,lookatthosepeople.They’resupposedtobetheplayboysoflife,theamusement-seekersandluxury-lovers.Theysitthere,waitingforthisplacetogivethemmeaning,nottheotherwayaround.
Butthey’realwaysshowntousastheenjoyersofmaterialpleasures—andthenwe’retaughtthatenjoymentofmaterialpleasuresisevil.
Enjoyment?Aretheyenjoyingit?Isn’ttheresomesortofperversioninwhatwe’retaught,someerrorthat’sviciousandveryimportant?"
"Yes,Hank—veryviciousandvery,veryimportant.
