Атлант расправил плечи
The Sanction of the Victim
Bytherulesofthecomplicatedpretensewhichallthosepeopleplayedforoneanother’sbenefit,theyshouldhaveconsideredhisstandasincomprehensiblefolly;thereshouldhavebeenrustlesofastonishmentandderision;therewerenone;theysatstill;theyunderstood.
"Doyoumeanthatyouarerefusingtoobeythelaw?"askedthejudge.
"No.Iamcomplyingwiththelaw—totheletter.Yourlawholdsthatmylife,myworkandmypropertymaybedisposedofwithoutmyconsent.Verywell,youmaynowdisposeofmewithoutmyparticipationinthematter.Iwillnotplaythepartofdefendingmyself,wherenodefenseispossible,andIwillnotsimulatetheillusionofdealingwithatribunalofjustice."
"But,Mr.Rearden,thelawprovidesspecificallythatyouaretobegivenanopportunitytopresentyoursideofthecaseandtodefendyourself."
"Aprisonerbroughttotrialcandefendhimselfonlyifthereisanobjectiveprincipleofjusticerecognizedbyhisjudges,aprincipleupholdinghisrights,whichtheymaynotviolateandwhichhecaninvoke.
Thelaw,bywhichyouaretryingme,holdsthattherearenoprinciples,thatIhavenorightsandthatyoumaydowithmewhateveryouplease.Verywell.Doit."
"Mr.Rearden,thelawwhichyouaredenouncingisbasedonthehighestprinciple—theprincipleofthepublicgood.
